(~s, ~ing, threw, ~n)
Frequency: The word is one of the 1500 most common words in English.
1.
When you ~ an object that you are holding, you move your hand or arm quickly and let go of the object, so that it moves through the air.
He spent hours ~ing a tennis ball against a wall...
The crowd began ~ing stones...
Sophia jumps up and ~s down her knitting...
He threw Brian a rope.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n, V n with adv, V n n
•
Throw is also a noun.
One of the judges thought it was a foul ~...
A ~ of the dice allows a player to move himself forward.
N-COUNT: oft N of n
~ing
He didn’t really know very much about javelin ~ing.
N-UNCOUNT: usu with supp
2.
If you ~ your body or part of your body into a particular position or place, you move it there suddenly and with a lot of force.
She threw her arms around his shoulders...
She threatened to ~ herself in front of a train...
He set his skinny legs apart and threw back his shoulders.
VERB: V n prep, V pron-refl prep/adv, V n with adv
3.
If you ~ something into a particular place or position, you put it there in a quick and careless way.
He struggled out of his bulky jacket and threw it on to the back seat...
VERB: V n prep/adv
4.
To ~ someone into a particular place or position means to force them roughly into that place or position.
He threw me to the ground and started to kick...
The device exploded, ~ing Mr Taylor from his car.
VERB: V n prep/adv, V n prep/adv
5.
If you say that someone is ~n into prison, you mean that they are put there by the authorities, especially if this seems unfair or cruel.
Those two should have been ~n in jail...
Police should have the power to fine people who hamper rescue efforts. In fact I’d ~ them into prison for a night.
VERB: be V-ed in/into n, V n in/into n
6.
If a horse ~s its rider, it makes him or her fall off, by suddenly jumping or moving violently.
The horse reared, ~ing its rider and knocking down a youth standing beside it.
VERB: V n
7.
If a person or thing is ~n into an unpleasant situation or state, something causes them to be in that situation or state.
Abidjan was ~n into turmoil because of a protest by taxi drivers...
Economic recession had ~n millions out of work...
VERB: be V-ed prep, V n prep
8.
If something ~s light or a shadow on a surface, it causes that surface to have light or a shadow on it.
The sunlight is white and blinding, ~ing hard-edged shadows on the ground.
= cast
VERB: V n on/onto n
9.
If something ~s doubt on a person or thing, it causes people to doubt or suspect them.
This new information does ~ doubt on their choice...
= cast
VERB: V n on/upon n
10.
If you ~ a look or smile at someone or something, you look or smile at them quickly and suddenly.
Emily turned and threw her a suggestive grin.
VERB: no cont, V n n, also V n at n
11.
If you ~ yourself, your energy, or your money into a particular job or activity, you become involved in it very actively or enthusiastically.
She threw herself into a modelling career...
They threw all their military resources into the battle.
VERB: V pron-refl into n, V n into n
12.
If you ~ a fit or a tantrum, you suddenly start to behave in an uncontrolled way.
I used to get very upset and scream and swear, ~ing tantrums all over the place.
VERB: V n
13.
If something such as a remark or an experience ~s you, it surprises you or confuses you because it is unexpected.
The professor rather threw me by asking if I went in for martial arts...
VERB: V n
14.
If you ~ a punch, you punch someone.
Everything was fine until someone threw a punch.
VERB: V n
15.
When someone ~s a party, they organize one, usually in their own home. (INFORMAL)
Why not ~ a party for your friends?
VERB: V n
16.
In sports, if a player ~s a game or contest, they lose it as a result of a deliberate action or intention.
...offering him a bribe to ~ the game.
VERB: V n
17.
A ~ is a light rug, blanket, or cover for a sofa or bed.
N-COUNT
18.
If things cost a particular amount of money a ~, they cost that amount each. (INFORMAL)
Most applications software for personal computers cost over $500 a ~.
PHRASE: amount PHR
19.
If someone ~s themselves at you, they make it very obvious that they want to begin a relationship with you, by behaving as though they are sexually attracted to you.
I’ll say you started it, that you threw yourself at me.
PHRASE: V inflects
20.
to ~ someone in at the deep end: see end
to ~ down the gauntlet: see gauntlet
to ~ light on something : see light
to ~ in your lot with someone : see lot
to ~ money at something : see money
to ~ good money after bad: see money
to ~ a spanner in the works: see spanner
a stone’s ~: see stone
to ~ in the towel: see towel
to ~ your weight about: see weight
to ~ a wrench: see wrench