throw off
To confuse; especially, to lose a pursuer.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The strange noise threw me off.”
“The thief took a sudden turn down a narrow alley to throw off the police officers chasing him.”
“By deliberately introducing contradictory evidence during the trial, the defense attorney hoped to throw off the jury and create enough doubt for an acquittal.”
- 01
lock someone up and throw away the key
To lock someone up in prison indefinitely.
- 02
stone's throw
A short distance, roughly equivalent to how far a person can throw a stone.
- 03
throw a bone to
To provide support or assistance to, especially in one particular way or to a limited extent; to make a concession to.
- 04
throw a fit
To become angry, enraged, or upset; to act or react with an outburst, as by shouting, swearing, etc.
- 05
throw a kiss
To kiss one's hand, then make a gesture as if one was throwing the kiss in a direction towards the recipient.
- 06
throw a monkey wrench in the works
Synonym of throw a spanner in the works.
- 07
throw a monkey wrench into the works
Synonym of throw a spanner into the works.
- 08
throw a spanner in the works
To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.
Last updated August 10, 2026