throw off: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal. Common in both spoken and written English, but slightly more frequent in informal contexts.
Quick answer
What does “throw off” mean?
To get rid of something unwanted, to free oneself from a burden or constraint, or to cause something to be inaccurate or incorrect.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To get rid of something unwanted, to free oneself from a burden or constraint, or to cause something to be inaccurate or incorrect.
Also includes: to perform or produce something quickly and without much effort; to emit or release something (like heat); to confuse or distract someone; to remove clothing hastily.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Throw off' is used with largely the same range of meanings. Slight preference for 'throw off' (clothing) in UK vs. 'take off' (clothing) in US in some contexts.
Connotations
Neutral in both. No significant difference in connotation.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “throw off” in a Sentence
[Subject] + throw off + [Object][Subject] + throw + [Indirect Object] + off + [Direct Object]throw off + [Object] + [Adjunct]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “throw off” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The news really threw him off his stride.
- He threw off his jumper as the sun came out.
- The engine was throwing off a lot of heat.
American English
- The tricky question threw her off her game.
- He threw off his jacket and got to work.
- The factory throws off a lot of pollution.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The supply chain issues threw off our quarterly projections."
Academic
"The anomalous data point threw off the entire statistical model."
Everyday
"I'm trying to throw off this cold before the weekend."
Technical
"The misaligned bearing threw off the rotor's balance."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “throw off”
- *I threw off the old magazines. (Use 'threw away')
- *She threw off from her job. (Use 'quit' or 'left')
- Confusing 'throw off' with 'put off' (postpone).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a separable phrasal verb. You can say 'throw off your coat' or 'throw your coat off'.
'Get rid of' is broader and more final (dispose). 'Throw off' often implies a physical or metaphorical act of shedding something attached or affecting you (a pursuer, an illness, a feeling).
Yes, but usually for something incidental or secondary, like heat, light, or sparks ('The radiator throws off a lot of warmth'). It's not used for deliberate manufacturing.
It is neutral but leans slightly informal. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'divest', 'shed', or 'disrupt' might be preferred depending on the context.
To get rid of something unwanted, to free oneself from a burden or constraint, or to cause something to be inaccurate or incorrect.
Throw off: in British English it is pronounced /θrəʊ ˈɒf/, and in American English it is pronounced /θroʊ ˈɔːf/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “throw off the shackles”
- “throw off the scent”
- “throw off the yoke”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a horse THROWING a rider OFF its back to get rid of them. The phrase means to get rid of something or someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
BURDEN AS PHYSICAL WEIGHT (throwing off a weight), CONSTRAINTS AS SHACKLES (throwing off shackles), CONFUSION AS PHYSICAL DISPLACEMENT (throwing off balance).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'throw off' used CORRECTLY?