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free throw

free throw

50 2.8
A shot taken from the free-throw line without being blocked after a foul
  • noun
  • /fri θroʊ/
translation icon : tiro libre
  • During the game, he made two crucial free throws that helped secure the victory for his team.
  • shoot free throws
  • make free throws
  • free throw percentage

They're still shooting free throws in their off hours.

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Examples

  • Once warmed up, each participant was asked to shoot 10 free throws, and the results were recorded.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Jamal is about to take a free-throw shot that will decide the game.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • If I missed one start back at zero, I was shooting free throws for an hour.

  • Are you still gonna help me with my free throws tonight?

  • Free throws are what win or lose a game, though.

  • Yeah, l think l was, like... 2 for 8 from the free-throw line.

  • They're still shooting free throws in their off hours.

  • They need these free throws to get back into the game... and have a chance at the state championship.

  • A furious rally sparked by two late James Robinson free throws sent the game into overtime.

    Blog text (3)
  • They'll put him at the free-throw line, and two made free throws can win this game for New Jersey.

Synonyms

conversion
vsfree throw
13 6.5

A successful kick or throw that gives extra points after a score like a touchdown

is specific to basketball shots awarded after fouls rather than post-try scoring
foul shot
vsfree throw
  • Specialized
3 2.6

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

is the neutral basketball term for the same awarded shot
charity throw
vsfree throw
  • US
2.3

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

is the standard basketball name used more widely
charity toss
vsfree throw
  • US
2.7

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

is the usual basketball name rather than the informal variant
charity shot
vsfree throw
  • US
3.4

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

is the usual term used in basketball for this awarded shot
penalty free throw
vsfree throw
2.7

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

is the common basketball name for this awarded shot

Surface Forms

free throw singular
free throws plural

Morphology

free + throw

The noun 'throw' clearly signals a shot or attempt, and one interpretable sense of 'free' is 'without opposition', so a learner could infer a 'throw without interference'. However, the exact technical meaning (a basketball shot from the free-throw line awarded after a foul) is sport-specific and the common 'free' sense 'without charge' may mislead, so the full meaning is not fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

Free throw comes from basketball: the player is free, or 'without interference', and can throw the ball from the free-throw line. That's why it means 'a shot given after a foul'.