throw (something) into question
To cause something to be doubted, scrutinized, or a matter for serious discussion. These series of protests have thrown into question the ability of this government to remain in power. This reluctance to act is bound to throw your leadership skills into question.
lock (someone) up and throw away the key
To incarcerate someone in prison forever or indefinitely. That crazy drunk driver nearly hit me! I hope they lock him up and throw away the key!
throw (one's/someone's) name in the hat
To submit one's own or someone else's name for consideration in a selection, such as a competition, application pool, election, etc. I'm thinking about throwing my name in the hat for class president! Just so you know, I threw your name in the hat for a chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Florida! As has been widely predicted, the governor announced today that he was throwing his name in the hat for the presidential election next year.
throw (some) light on (something)
To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something. We've hired a private investigator to help throw light on the clandestine dealings of the baron. These documents we've uncovered throw some light on how the late author's final book was meant to end.
throw (some) light upon (something)
To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something. (A more formal version of "throw (some) light on something.") We've hired a private investigator to help throw light upon the clandestine dealings of the baron. These documents we've uncovered throw some light upon how the late author's final book was meant to end.
throw a bone to (someone)
To attempt to appease or placate someone by giving them something trivial or of minor importance, or by doing some small favor for them. (A reference to giving an animal a bone or scrap from a bigger portion of food.) The city council has decided to throw a bone to local building companies and will be releasing small amounts of public space to commercial development.
throw a scare into (someone)
To unsettle, startle, or shock someone; to instill someone with fear or disquietude. Though heavily favored to lose the election, the Republican candidate's late surge in the polls is sure to have thrown a scare into the incumbent president's camp.
throw a sickie
To tell one's employer, truthfully or otherwise, that one is ill and unable to attend work. Primarily heard in UK. I'm going to have work the morning after my birthday party. Something tells me I'll be throwing a sickie that day!
throw a spanner in(to) the works
To disrupt, foil, or cause problems to a plan, activity, or project. Primarily heard in UK. We had everything in line for the party, but having the caterer cancel on us at the last minute really threw a spanner in the works! It'll really throw a spanner into the works if the board decides not to increase our funding for this project.
throw a wobbly
To suddenly become very upset or intensely angry and make a big display of it. Primarily heard in UK, Australia. John threw a wobbly at work after the boss criticized his report. Needless to say, he won't be welcome back in the office on Monday.
throw discretion to the wind(s)
To act or behave recklessly and/or fearlessly, with no sense of restraint or propriety. (An older variant of the now more common "throw caution to the wind(s).") After my father won a bit of money at the race tracks, he began throwing discretion to the winds and ended up gambling away everything we had. You can't live life completely reserved, you know—you've got to throw discretion to the wind every now and then.
throw chunks
To vomit, especially violently or in great quantity. Everyone bought John so many drinks on his 21st birthday that he was throwing chunks before midnight. I felt like I was going to throw chunks from seasickness out on that boat.
throw (someone) off the trail
To misdirect someone away from his or her point of pursuit; to steer someone's investigation or suspicions in the wrong direction. The mafia accountant had been throwing the authorities off the trail of the mob's money laundering for years. My husband has some suspicions about our affair, but the trip I'm taking for work will throw him off the trail.
throw (one's) toys out of the pram
To behave in a petulantly upset or angry manner; to act like an angry child. Primarily heard in UK. Manchester United's star striker threw his toys out of the pram after he was ejected from the match for biting another player.
throw (one's) weight about
To assert oneself in a controlling, domineering, or authoritarian manner; to exercise one's position of authority, power, or influence, especially to an overbearing or excessive degree. (A variant of the more common "throw one's weight around.") An effective leader should inspire enough confidence in his or her team that they don't have to throw their weight about to get things done. I'm sick of Donald coming into these meetings and throwing his weight about. Can't he just leave us to our own devices?
throw (some) shapes
slang To dance, especially to popular music. Primarily heard in UK. If I've had a couple of drinks and the music is good, I can't help but throw some shapes on the dance floor. The flash mob started throwing shapes in the train station to classic 1970s disco tunes.
throw (someone) under the bus
1. To exploit someone's trust for one's own purpose, gain, or agenda; to harm someone through deceit or treachery. Senator Davis was supposed to be working with me to bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans on the issue of gun control, but, instead, she threw me under the bus to get a boost in the polls with her constituency. The investment company threw its clients under the bus when it chose to redirect their hard earned money into various Ponzi schemes that benefited only a few board members at the top.
2. To avoid blame, trouble, or criticism by allowing someone else to take responsibility. Tommy was caught with the marijuana in his backpack, but he threw me under the bus and said it belonged to me. Our manager never hesitates to throw an underling under the bus when something goes wrong in the office.
throw a tub to the whale
To create a diversion, in order to avoid a dangerous or unpleasant situation. No one can know that I'm here, so throw a tub to the whale while I sneak out the back door!
throw money away
To waste money. Quit throwing money away on rent and just move back in with your parents. I really threw money away when I bought that old car—it breaks down almost daily.
throw smoke
slang In baseball, to pitch fastballs. Wow, I can't believe he's still throwing smoke after eight innings. Watch out for this pitcher, she really throws smoke out there.
throw straws against the wind
To attempt something futile. Hey, that couch will never fit up the steps—stop throwing straws against the wind!
throw shade
slang To subtly issue insults or expressions of disapproval. I was just checking my phone for a second when Joe totally threw shade at me, saying, "Some of us don't need to be glued to our phones every minute of the day." My mom is the queen of throwing shade. She loves to say, "Is that really what you're going to wear?"