ENGLISH
REFERENCE

throw

v. · n.
US //ˈθɹoʊ// UK //θɹˈəʊ// throw
Irregular verb past threw past participle thrown
  1. 1 to hurl through the air (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to use your hand and arm to send something through the air.

    to propel an object through the air by a rapid motion of the arm and hand.

    Example

    The boy tried to throw the ball to his friend, but it landed in the bushes.

    Example

    The athlete managed to throw the javelin further than any of his competitors during the final round of the championship.
  2. 2 to organize a party (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Informal

    to plan and hold a party or a social event.

    to organize and host a social gathering or celebration.

    Example

    We are going to throw a surprise party for my sister's birthday next week.

    Example

    The company decided to throw a lavish gala to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary and thank its long-term investors.
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  1. 3 to confuse (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal

    to make someone feel surprised or confused so they do not know what to do.

    to cause someone to become confused, disconcerted, or momentarily unable to respond.

    Example

    The difficult question at the end of the interview really threw me.

    Example

    The sudden change in the project's requirements threw the entire development team, forcing them to rethink their strategy.
  2. 4 to lose intentionally (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Sport

    to lose a game or a race on purpose, usually for a dishonest reason.

    to lose a contest or competition intentionally, often for personal gain or as part of a gambling scheme.

    Example

    The boxer was accused of trying to throw the fight for money.

    Example

    Investigators looked into allegations that the team had been bribed to throw the match in the final minutes of play.
  3. 5 to signal an error (v.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    to send a signal that something has gone wrong in a computer program.

    to signal the occurrence of an exception or error during the execution of a program to an exception-handling routine.

    Example

    The system will throw an error if you try to enter a password that is too short.

    Example

    The function is designed to throw an exception if the database connection fails, ensuring the application does not crash unexpectedly.
  4. 6 the act of throwing (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the action of sending something through the air with your hand.

    the act or instance of propelling something through the air.

    Example

    That was a great throw; the ball went exactly where you wanted it to.

    Example

    The quarterback's final throw was a masterpiece of precision, landing perfectly in the receiver's hands despite the heavy defensive pressure.
  5. 7 a small blanket (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a small, decorative blanket that you put over a chair or sofa.

    a light coverlet or decorative textile used to drape over furniture.

    Example

    She draped a blue throw over the back of the sofa to make the room look cozy.

    Example

    The interior designer suggested adding a cashmere throw to the armchair to introduce a different texture to the living space.
Etymology 1

From Middle English throwen, thrawen, from Old English þrāwan (“to turn, twist”), from Proto-West Germanic þrāan, from Proto-Germanic þrēaną (“to twist, turn”), from Proto-Indo-European *terh₁- (“to rub, rub by twisting, twist, turn”). Cognate with Scots thraw (“to twist, turn, throw”), West Frisian triuwe (“to push”), Dutch draaien (“to turn”), Low German draien, dreien (“to turn (in a lathe)”), German drehen (“to turn”). Displaced warp as the word for hurling and was displaced by warp as the word for twisting.

Etymology 2

From Middle English, from Old English þrāh, þrāg (“space of time, period, while”). Of uncertain origin. Perhaps related to Gothic 𐌸𐍂𐌰𐌲𐌾𐌰𐌽 (þragjan, “to run”).

Etymology 3

See throe.

Word family
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