🏈 To toss 🐎 To unseat 🎉 To host 🎲 To roll dice 🎲 An attempt 👀 To direct 😵 To confuse 🔀 To activate 💻 To signal error 🏺 To shape clay 🛋️ A blanket ⚙️ Movement range

to throw

462 3.8

To organize a party or small social event for people

verb
/θroʊ/

Informal

: organizar

Perhaps we should throw a dinner party as well for all our old friends.
throw a party
throw together a party

This led to me throwing my very first event.

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Examples

And you're in luck because the wedding we were supposed to throw this weekend canceled so our best rooms are available.

Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023)
We're going to throw big party.

Elemental (2023)
I thought perhaps I could throw a little more business your way.

Double Indemnity (1944)
This led to me throwing my very first event.

Ryan Pineda
Maybe somebody else is throwing a party.

The Front Page (1974)
So they throw a kind of bachelor party.
So, what if she threw two parties so nobody could come to both of them?

Fiction book (1994)
One day, Azanaques threw a big party to which he invited a large number of people.

Academic text (1999)
I am throwing a big Cinco de Mayoparty, and I am going to need 200 of your best cupcakes decorated with the Mexican flag.

Despicable Me 2 (2013)
We're going to throw a birthday party for my sister this weekend.

Synonyms

to have

vsto throw

∞ 1.0

To arrange something or cause it to happen

means organizing an event directly rather than merely causing it to happen

to give

vsto throw

∞ 1.0

To perform for other people, for example a speech

focuses on arranging and running the event rather than presenting it

to hold

vsto throw

∞ 2.1

To organize an event or activity

is used for social events and receptions rather than meetings or activities

to throw a party

vsto throw

318 1.8

Plan and have a party for people to enjoy

is used for arranging any kind of event rather than only social gatherings

to host the event

vsto throw

15 3.5

To organize an event and take care of its details

focuses on the whole event rather than only arranging details

to host a gala

vsto throw

1 5.3

Plan and lead a formal party to raise money or celebrate something

applies to events generally rather than only formal fundraising occasions

Antonyms

to cancel

814 1.0

To decide that a planned event will not happen

Idioms

to throw in the towel

Informal

27 4.8

To stop trying because you know you cannot succeed

to throw up one's hands

Informal

15 6.5

Raise both hands to show you feel frustrated or give up

to throw a fit

Informal

12 6.1

To suddenly become very angry or upset in a loud, obvious way

to throw away the key

Informal

12 8.8

Put someone in prison for life with no hope of release

stone's throw

10 2.3

A short distance away that is a few minutes' walk

to throw the book at

Informal

9 7.5

To punish someone as harshly as possible under the law

to throw to the wolves

Informal

8 8.1

Leave someone in a dangerous or difficult situation without help to protect yourself

to throw caution to the wind

Informal

7 7.3

Do something without worrying about the risks

to throw one's hat in the ring

Informal

5 7.4

To say you will run for a position, for example in an election

to throw one's weight around

Informal

5 7.5

To use your power to make others do what you want

to throw down the gauntlet

4 7.7

To openly challenge someone in front of others

to throw the baby out with the bathwater

Informal

4 8.1

To get rid of something valuable while removing something bad

to throw good money after bad

3 7.5

To keep spending money on something that is already failing

to throw a wrench in

2 8.0

Cause a problem that stops a plan or activity

to lock him up and throw away the key

Informal

2 9.5

Put someone in prison and never let them out

to throw stones

Informal

2 6.7

Say bad things about others while ignoring your own faults

to throw a curve

Informal

1 8.4

To surprise or confuse someone by doing something they did not expect

to throw a monkey wrench into the works

Informal

1 8.6

Cause problems on purpose that stop a plan or process from working smoothly

to throw one's toys out of the pram

1 9.9

To behave in a childish sulky way after not getting what you want

to throw to the dogs

Informal

1 9.1

To give up something important in a careless or disrespectful way

dip me in honey and throw me to the lesbians

Offensive

9.9

A humorous way to say you find a woman extremely attractive

to throw a dummy spit

9.9

Have a childish angry outburst when you do not get your way

to throw an eye

7.8

To look quickly at something

to throw a snit

Informal

8.7

To suddenly become very angry or upset and act childishly

to throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

Archaic

9.9

Give something small to get something much bigger later

to throw a wobbly

9.9

To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way

to throw brickbats

Literature

8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

to throw one's cap over the windmill

Archaic

9.9

To make a big decision you cannot change that may be risky

to throw one's hat over the fence

Informal

9.4

To decide to do something difficult and not stop

to throw one's hat over the wall

9.9

To decide to start something difficult and not change your mind

to throw stones in a glass house

Informal

8.4

To blame others when you have the same faults

to throw the bull around

Informal

9.9

Talk in a relaxed, joking way and make stories bigger to be funny

to throw things at the wall

Informal

7.3

Try many different ideas to see which one works

to throw spaghetti at the wall

Informal

9.3

To try many different ideas to find one that works

to throw things at the wall and see what sticks

Informal

8.2

Try many different ideas to find one that works

Phrasal Verbs

to throw away

477 1.8

To get rid of something you do not want, for example by putting it in the bin

to throw a party

318 1.8

Plan and have a party for people to enjoy

to throw up

Informal

296 2.3

To push food and drink out of your stomach through your mouth

to throw out

236 3.0

To force someone to leave a place, job, or group

to throw out

202 1.8

To put something in the trash because you do not want it

to throw out

163 4.2

To stop considering a case, request, or proposal in court

to throw in

Informal

97 2.7

Add something extra for free

to throw off

31 4.8

To make someone's plans or schedule not work as expected

to throw in

Informal

29 4.9

Stop trying because you cannot win

to throw around

Informal

27 4.5

To say words or names often without thinking

to throw together

Informal

22 3.5

Make something quickly without much care or planning

to throw a tantrum

Informal

18 4.4

To show sudden strong anger or upset, often like a child

to throw down

Informal

18 7.0

To start a fight or bold competition to show strength

to throw in

Informal

14 3.8

Add a short comment during a conversation

to throw back

12 5.8

Move something quickly backward, like your head or a cup

to throw up

Specialized

12 3.7

To make a message or window appear on the screen

to throw in with

Informal

6 5.8

To join and support a group or side

to throw overboard

NSFW

5 4.8

To throw someone or something from a boat into water

to throw money away

4 3.5

Spend money on things you do not need

to throw off balance

4 5.4

To make someone feel confused or unsure after a sudden change

to throw one's weight behind

3 6.6

To support a person or idea by using your influence

to throw cold water on

Informal

2 7.4

Make people less excited about an idea or plan by saying bad things about it

to throw overboard

1 6.0

To reject or get rid of something no longer needed

to throw off the trail

1 7.7

To give false clues so people do not find the truth

to throw out ideas

1 3.4

Suggest ideas for others to consider

to throw down a challenge

Informal

1 5.4

Openly invite someone to compete with you

to throw away your dreams

1 7.4

To give up your hopes for the future

to throw dirt

Informal

1 7.2

Say bad things about someone to harm their reputation

to throw off

1 3.8

To quickly remove something you have or that bothers you

to throw shapes

Slang

1 9.0

To dance with showy, energetic movements

to throw someone a kiss

1 3.5

Kiss your hand and blow the kiss toward someone

to throw off keel

8.1

Cause someone to feel confused and upset

to throw wobblies

Slang

9.9

To have a sudden angry outburst like a child's tantrum

Compounds

free throw

50 2.8

A shot taken from the free-throw line without being blocked after a foul

throw pillow

5 2.1

A small decorative cushion put on sofas or chairs for comfort and color

throw rug

4 3.2

A small light mat placed on part of a floor to decorate or protect it

throw-in

1 3.8

A way to put the ball back into play from the sideline after it goes out

hammer throw

1 4.7

A track and field event where an athlete throws a heavy metal ball attached to a wire for distance

arm throw

1 2.8

A throw that uses the arm, often in sport

charity throw

2.3

A shot from the foul line taken after a foul that scores one point

free throw lane

3.6

Marked rectangle near the basket where players stand during free throws

penalty free throw

2.7

A shot taken from the foul line after a foul by the other team

throw of the dice

6.5

A decision that depends mostly on chance

throw stick

8.2

A curved stick that comes back to the thrower when thrown correctly

throw-weight

Specialized

9.9

The weight of warheads or other cargo a missile can carry, not counting the rocket

How Big

to stage

167 3.5

to throw

Informal

462 3.8

to hold

∞ 2.1

Surface Forms

throw infinitive

throwing present participle

throws third person singular

threw past

thrown past participle

Etymology

Throw comes from an old word thraw that meant 'twist' or 'turn', but in everyday English it also means to 'put on' or 'send out' an event. That's why to throw a party is to organize or host it.