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

to throw

15 6.1

To move a switch or lever to make a machine work

verb
/θroʊ/

: accionar

Throw the switch, kitties!

Examples

You may just have to throw a switch.

Runaway (1984)
Some officer had the presence of mind to throw the switch for the poison gas siren.

Fiction book (1992)
I say we throw the switch and see what happens.

Total Recall (1990)
Now they had thrown the switch.

Double Indemnity (1944)
A switch had somehow been thrown in all their heads at once.

Fiction book (1995)
Paul, uh, don't forget to throw the switch on the electric furnace.

The Vampire (1957)
155 Aaron in the alcove throws the switch to activate the piston.

Fiction book (1992)
Please throw the switch to start the machine.
To activate the lights in the room, you need to throw the switch located near the door.
Don't forget to throw the switch before leaving the garage.

Synonyms

to flip

vsto throw

547 1.8

To turn or toss something quickly with a light hand movement

is about activating devices or controls rather than general quick movement

to switch

vsto throw

182 1.0

To make a machine or light start working

is broader, covering operation by moving levers or other controls

to switch on

vsto throw

57 1.6

To make a device like a light start working by pressing a button or moving a switch

is similar but emphasizes any activation, not only the start moment

to flip the switch

vsto throw

16 3.5

Cause a sudden change, for example by moving a small control to turn something on

is similar but is not focused on sudden or decisive shifts

to pull the lever

vsto throw

15 3.6

Move a handle to make a machine start or stop

is broader, covering many activation methods rather than only using a control arm

Antonyms

to disable

186 3.5

Make a device or feature stop working

Idioms

to throw in the towel

Informal

28 4.8

To stop trying because you know you cannot succeed

to throw away the key

Informal

18 8.8

Put someone in prison for life with no hope of release

to throw a fit

Informal

18 6.1

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

to throw stones

Informal

18 6.7

Say bad things about others while ignoring your own faults

stone's throw

11 2.3

A short distance away that is a few minutes' walk

to throw the book at

Informal

11 7.5

To punish someone as harshly as possible under the law

to throw caution to the wind

Informal

10 7.3

Do something without worrying about the risks

to throw to the wolves

Informal

9 8.1

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

to throw a curve

Informal

6 8.4

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

to throw down the gauntlet

5 7.7

To openly challenge someone in front of others

to throw a wrench in

4 8.0

Cause a problem that stops a plan or activity

to throw good money after bad

3 7.5

To keep spending money on something that is already failing

to throw to the dogs

Informal

2 9.1

To give up something important in a careless or disrespectful way

to throw the baby out with the bathwater

Informal

2 8.1

To get rid of something valuable while removing something bad

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 things at the wall

Informal

1 7.3

Try many different ideas to see which one works

to throw brickbats

Literature

1 8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

to throw up one's hands

Informal

1 6.5

Raise both hands to show you feel frustrated or give up

to throw an eye

1 7.8

To look quickly at something

to throw a wobbly

1 9.9

To become suddenly very angry and upset in a dramatic way

to throw stones in a glass house

Informal

1 8.4

To blame others when you have the same faults

to throw a snit

Informal

1 8.7

To suddenly become very angry or upset and act childishly

to throw spaghetti at the wall

Informal

1 9.3

To try many different ideas to find one that works

to throw one's weight around

Informal

1 7.5

To use your power to make others do what you want

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 lock him up and throw away the key

Informal

9.5

Put someone in prison and never let them out

to throw a dummy spit

9.9

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

to throw a sprat to catch a mackerel

Archaic

9.9

Give something small to get something much bigger later

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 in the ring

Informal

7.4

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

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 one's toys out of the pram

9.9

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

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 and see what sticks

Informal

8.2

Try many different ideas to find one that works

Phrasal Verbs

to throw away

563 1.8

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

to throw out

376 3.0

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

to throw out

361 1.8

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

to throw up

Informal

313 2.3

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

to throw in

Informal

263 2.7

Add something extra for free

to throw a party

161 1.8

Plan and have a party for people to enjoy

to throw off

132 3.8

To quickly remove something you have or that bothers you

to throw off

93 4.8

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

to throw in

Informal

63 3.8

Add a short comment during a conversation

to throw out

60 4.2

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

to throw around

Informal

39 4.5

To say words or names often without thinking

to throw in

Informal

33 4.9

Stop trying because you cannot win

to throw together

Informal

32 3.5

Make something quickly without much care or planning

to throw overboard

NSFW

20 4.8

To throw someone or something from a boat into water

to throw a tantrum

Informal

15 4.4

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

to throw back

13 5.8

Move something quickly backward, like your head or a cup

to throw money away

10 3.5

Spend money on things you do not need

to throw off balance

10 5.4

To make someone feel confused or unsure after a sudden change

to throw in with

Informal

5 5.8

To join and support a group or side

to throw down

Informal

5 7.0

To start a fight or bold competition to show strength

to throw out ideas

4 3.4

Suggest ideas for others to consider

to throw cold water on

Informal

4 7.4

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

to throw off the trail

3 7.7

To give false clues so people do not find the truth

to throw overboard

2 6.0

To reject or get rid of something no longer needed

to throw dirt

Informal

2 7.2

Say bad things about someone to harm their reputation

to throw up

Specialized

1 3.7

To make a message or window appear on the screen

to throw down a challenge

Informal

1 5.4

Openly invite someone to compete with you

to throw someone a kiss

1 3.5

Kiss your hand and blow the kiss toward someone

to throw away your dreams

1 7.4

To give up your hopes for the future

to throw shapes

Slang

1 9.0

To dance with showy, energetic movements

to throw wobblies

Slang

1 9.9

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

to throw off keel

8.1

Cause someone to feel confused and upset

to throw one's weight behind

6.6

To support a person or idea by using your influence

Compounds

free throw

51 2.8

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

throw pillow

8 2.1

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

throw rug

6 3.2

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

hammer throw

2 4.7

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

throw of the dice

1 6.5

A decision that depends mostly on chance

throw-in

1 3.8

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

arm throw

1 2.8

A throw that uses the arm, often in sport

throw stick

1 8.2

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

throw-weight

Specialized

1 9.9

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

free throw lane

1 3.6

Marked rectangle near the basket where players stand during free throws

penalty free throw

1 2.7

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

charity throw

2.3

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

How Forceful

slam

34 2.1

to throw

15 6.1

press

18 1.3

to flick

78 2.3

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', so imagine moving a lever with a quick turn. That's why to throw a switch or lever is to move it into position and start or stop something.