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Glite Dictionary
charity throw

charity throw

2.3
A shot from the foul line taken after a foul that scores one point
  • noun
  • /ˈtʃɛrɪti θroʊ/
  • US
translation icon : tiro libre
  • After being fouled, he calmly sank both charity throws to tie the game.

Examples

  • Missing a charity throw in the final seconds cost them the championship.

  • She practiced her charity throw routine until she could make ten in a row.

  • He made an impressive charity throw during the game.

  • The referee awarded a charity throw after the foul.

  • After being fouled, he calmly sank both charity throws to tie the game.

  • Missing a charity throw in the final seconds cost them the championship.

  • The referee awarded a charity throw after the foul.

Synonyms

free throw
vscharity throw
50 2.8

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

has identical meaning but uses an alternative common name
foul shot
vscharity throw
  • Specialized
3 2.6

A free throw in basketball taken from the line when an opponent breaks the rules

is the same shot but named without penalty focus
charity toss
vscharity throw
  • US
2.7

A shot from the foul line that a player takes after a foul without anyone trying to stop it

has the same meaning but uses the primary conventional name
penalty free throw
vscharity throw
2.7

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

is the same shot but named without penalty emphasis
charity shot
vscharity throw
  • US
3.4

A shot you take from the free throw line after a foul

has the same meaning but appears as an alternate common label

Surface Forms

charity throw singular
charity throws plural

Morphology

charity + throw

The noun 'charity' normally denotes generosity or aid and does not transparently convey the sport-specific idea of an awarded, unhindered shot; combining it with 'throw' only yields a vague literal idea of a 'generous throw' rather than the technical meaning 'free throw'. Understanding that it refers to a shot awarded after a foul requires specific basketball knowledge or exposure to the term, so the meaning is not derivable from the constituents for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Charity throw comes from the idea that a player who is fouled is given an easy throw with no defenders, like a small gift called charity. That's why today it means 'an easy shot after a foul', the same as a 'free throw'.