# throw overboard

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/throw-overboard
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To reject or expel

## Examples

- They decided to throw the old rules overboard.
- The company decided to throw its outdated marketing strategy overboard to focus on social media.
- Faced with the urgent need for reform, the committee chose to throw the traditional guidelines overboard in favor of a more flexible approach.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.