ENGLISH
REFERENCE

throw the bull

idiom
Meaning

To chat idly.


Examples
SIMPLE

We sat on the porch to throw the bull for an hour.

CONTEXTUAL

After the long meeting finished, the coworkers stayed behind to throw the bull about their weekend plans.

COMPLEX

The old fishermen gathered at the docks every morning to throw the bull, sharing tall tales while they mended their nets.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    Banbury story of a cock and a bull

    A roundabout, nonsensical story.

  2. 02

    bull in a china shop

    A person who is clumsy, aggressive, without care, concern or self-control.

  3. 03

    bull session

    An informal discursive group discussion, often one where politics, economics or current events are discussed.

  4. 04

    grab the bull by the horns

    Synonym of take the bull by the horns.

  5. 05

    lock someone up and throw away the key

    To lock someone up in prison indefinitely.

  6. 06

    shoot the bull

    To chinwag; to talk idly.

  7. 07

    stone's throw

    A short distance, roughly equivalent to how far a person can throw a stone.

  8. 08

    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.

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