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Glite Dictionary
charity toss

charity toss

2.7
A shot from the foul line that a player takes after a foul without anyone trying to stop it
  • noun
  • /ˈtʃærɪti tɔs/
  • US
translation icon : tiro libre
  • He made a perfect charity toss to win the game.

Examples

  • Missing a charity toss can be costly in a close basketball match.

  • The team practiced charity tosses to improve their free throw percentage.

  • He made both charity tosses after being fouled late in the game.

  • Did you see her charity toss during the match?

  • He made both charity tosses after being fouled late in the game.

  • Missing a charity toss can be costly in a close basketball match.

  • The team practiced charity tosses to improve their free throw percentage.

Synonyms

free throw
vscharity toss
50 2.8

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

is the alternative name used instead of the standard sport term
foul shot
vscharity toss
  • Specialized
3 2.6

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

is an alternate name without changing the shot's meaning
charity throw
vscharity toss
  • US
2.3

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

is the main sport term rather than the variant phrasing
charity shot
vscharity toss
  • US
3.4

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

is the alternative wording used by some instead of the common term
penalty free throw
vscharity toss
2.7

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

is the alternative phrase that simply names the same action without extra emphasis

Surface Forms

charity toss singular
charity tosses plural

Morphology

charity + toss

Although 'toss' means to throw, the word 'charity' in its usual sense (giving to the needy) does not transparently signal a basketball penalty shot from the foul line; this is sport-specific jargon. A B1 learner who knows the constituents would not be able to infer the conventional meaning 'free throw' (an uncontested/penalty shot), so the phrase is idiomatic and unpredictable.

Etymology

The phrase charity toss comes from early basketball when a player who was fouled was given a free, almost 'charity' chance to score. The word charity shows this point is like a kind gift and toss shows the simple throw from the foul line, so the phrase means a 'free throw' given after a foul.