throw in: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1-B2Informal, but common in business, negotiation, and everyday contexts.
Quick answer
What does “throw in” mean?
To add something extra to an offer or agreement, often at no additional cost.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To add something extra to an offer or agreement, often at no additional cost.
To interject or contribute something (like a comment or remark) into a conversation; in sports, to return the ball into play from the sideline (football/soccer); to give up or abandon (as in 'throw in the towel').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In sports: 'Throw-in' (noun) is common in UK football/soccer; in US sports, 'inbounds pass' (basketball) or specific terms are used, though 'throw-in' is understood. The phrasal verb 'throw in' (to add extra) is identical in both.
Connotations
Generally positive in transactional contexts (getting something free). In 'throw in the towel', strongly connotes defeat/surrender.
Frequency
The transactional meaning is very frequent in both varieties. The sports noun 'throw-in' is far more frequent in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “throw in” in a Sentence
[Subject] throw in [Direct Object: the thing added][Subject] throw [Direct Object: towel/remark] inVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “throw in” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They agreed to throw in free delivery if we ordered before Friday.
- He always throws in a funny anecdote during his lectures.
American English
- The car dealer threw in floor mats and a warranty to close the deal.
- She threw in a great idea during our brainstorming session.
adjective
British English
- The throw-in clause was a decisive factor. (Rare, derived from noun)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"If you sign the contract today, we'll throw in a year of free support."
Academic
Rare in formal writing, except metaphorically: "The researcher refused to throw in the towel despite initial setbacks."
Everyday
"I bought the sofa, and they threw in two cushions."
Technical
In sports commentary: "The defender took a quick throw-in."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “throw in”
- Incorrect separable pronoun placement: *'throw it in' is correct, 'throw in it' is wrong.*
- Using 'throw in' for violent physical action instead of the idiomatic/additive meaning.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. You can say 'throw in a bonus' or 'throw a bonus in'. With pronouns, it must be separated: 'throw it in'.
'Throw in' is more informal and implies an extra, often spontaneous or generous addition. 'Include' is neutral and simply states something is part of a whole.
Mostly positive (free extra). However, 'throw in a remark' can be neutral or negative if the remark is unwanted. 'Throw in the towel' is negative (surrender).
It is understood but less common. Sports like basketball use 'inbounds pass' or specific terms. It is primarily a UK football/soccer term.
To add something extra to an offer or agreement, often at no additional cost.
Throw in is usually informal, but common in business, negotiation, and everyday contexts. in register.
Throw in: in British English it is pronounced /ˈθrəʊ ɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈθroʊ ɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “throw in the towel (to give up)”
- “throw in your lot with (to join)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine buying a car and the salesperson literally THROWING a free radio INTO the car for you. They 'throw in' an extra.
Conceptual Metaphor
NEGOTIATION IS A GAME OF ADDITIONS (throwing something into the pot), GIVING UP IS THROWING AN OBJECT (the towel into the ring).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'throw in' used CORRECTLY in its core idiomatic sense?