to propel or cast in any way, esp. to project or propel from the hand by a sudden forward motion or straightening of the arm and wrist

to throw a ball.

to hurl or project (a missile), as a gun does.

to project or cast (light, a shadow, etc.).

to project (the voice).

to make it appear that one's voice is coming from a place different from its source, as in ventriloquism.

to direct or send forth (words, a glance, etc.).

to put or cause to go or come into some place, position, condition, etc., as if by hurling

to throw someone into prison; to throw a bridge across a river; to throw troops into action.

to put on, off, or away hastily

to throw a shawl over one's shoulders.

Machinery .

to move (a lever or the like) in order to activate, turn on, disconnect, etc., an apparatus or mechanism

to throw the switch.

to connect, engage, disconnect, or disengage by such a procedure

to throw the current.

to shape on a potter's wheel

to throw a vase.

to bring to bear or invest

Throw all your energy into your work. The FBI threw every available agent into the case.

to deliver a blow or punch

He threw a hard left jab to his opponent's chin.

to cause to fall to the ground, esp. to hurl to the ground, as an opponent in wrestling.

Cards . to play (a card).

to lose (a game, race, or other contest) intentionally, as for a bribe.

to cast (dice).

to make (a cast) at dice

She threw two sixes.

(of an animal, as a horse) to cause (someone) to fall off; unseat

The horse threw his rider twice.

to give or host

They threw a lavish party celebrating his 80th birthday.

(of domestic animals) to bring forth (young).

Textiles . to twist (filaments) without attenuation in the production of yarn or thread.

Informal . to overcome with astonishment or confusion; amaze, disconcert, or confuse

It was her falsetto voice on top of it all that really threw me.

to turn on a lathe.

to cast, fling, or hurl a missile or the like.

an act or instance of throwing or casting; cast; fling.

the distance to which anything is or may be thrown

a stone's throw.

Informal . a venture or chance

It was his last throw.

Machinery .

the distance between the center of a crankshaft and the center of the crankpins, equal to one half of the piston stroke.

the distance between the center of a crankshaft and the center of an eccentric.

the movement of a reciprocating part in one direction.

(in a motion-picture theater) the distance between the projector and the screen.

(in an auditorium or the like) the distance between a loudspeaker and the audience.

the length of a beam of light

a spotlight with a throw of 500 feet.

a scarf, boa, shawl, or the like.

Theater .

the distance to which a spotlight can be projected.

the area illuminated by a spotlight.

a light blanket, as for use when reclining on a sofa; afghan.

a cast of dice.

the number thrown with a pair of dice.

Wrestling . the act, method, or an instance of throwing an opponent.

Geology, Mining . the amount of vertical displacement produced by a fault. ?

throw away,

to dispose of; discard.

to employ wastefully; squander.

to fail to use; miss (a chance, opportunity, etc.)

He threw away a college education and a professional career.

throw back,

to retard the development or advancement of

His illness threw him back a year at school.

to force into dependence upon or necessary use of.

to return to; hark back.

to revert to a type found in one's ancestry; manifest atavism

Her red hair and blue eyes throw back to her great-grandmother.

throw in, Informal .

to add as a bonus or gratuity

They throw in breakfast with the room.

to bring into (a discussion, plan, etc.) as an addition; interject

The president threw in an amusing anecdote to relieve the tension.

Cards . to abandon (a hand).

throw off,

to free oneself of; cast aside

to throw off the wet poncho; to throw off the yoke of slavery.

to escape from or delay, as a pursuer.

to give off; discharge.

to perform or produce with ease

The entertainer threw off a few songs and jokes to begin the show.

to confuse; fluster

Thrown off by jeers, she forgot her lines.

Australian Slang . to criticize or ridicule (usually fol. by at ).

throw out,

to cast away; remove; discard.

to bring up for consideration; propose

The committee threw out a few suggestions.

to put out of mind; reject

We can throw out that scheme.

Baseball . to cause to be out by throwing the ball to a fielder, esp. an infielder, in time to prevent a batter or runner from reaching base safely

The shortstop backhanded the ball and threw the batter out at first.

to eject from a place, esp. forcibly

He started making a disturbance so the bartenders threw him out.

to expel, as from membership in a club.

throw over, to forsake; abandon

She threw over her first husband for another man.

throw together,

to make in a hurried and haphazard manner.

to cause to associate

Many nationalities have been thrown together in the American melting pot.

throw up,

to give up; relinquish.

to build hastily.

to vomit.

to point out, as an error; criticize.

(of a hawk) to fly suddenly upward. ?

a throw

Informal . each

He ordered four suits at

throw cold water on. cold ( def. 28 ) .

throw down the gauntlet or glove. gauntlet 1 ( def. 5 ) .

throw in the sponge. sponge ( def. 11 ) .

throw in the towel. towel ( def. 3 ) .

throw oneself at (someone) or at (someone's head), to strive to attract the interest or attention of

esp. in order to win the love or admiration of

Don't expect me to throw myself at you.

throw oneself into

to engage in with energy or enthusiasm

She threw herself into learning the new routines.

throw oneself on or upon (someone), to commit oneself to another's mercy, generosity, support

etc.; trust in

The members of his wife's family have all thrown themselves on him.

throw out the baby with the bathwater. bathwater ( def. 2 ) .

throw the bull. bull 3 ( def. 2 ) .