throw out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal to neutral
Quick answer
What does “throw out” mean?
to get rid of something by putting it in a rubbish bin or taking it to a dump.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to get rid of something by putting it in a rubbish bin or taking it to a dump.
To dispose of or discard something no longer wanted; to expel someone from a place; to reject an idea, proposal, or piece of work; to emit something (like light or a smell).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the sense of disposal, 'throw away' is equally common in both, but 'throw out' is perhaps more frequent in AmE for large items. 'Throw out' for ejecting a person is equally common. 'Chuck out' (UK informal) is a common BrE equivalent.
Connotations
In legal/judicial contexts, AmE uses 'throw out a case' more readily; BrE may use 'strike out.'
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties, with 'throw away' being a near-synonym for the disposal sense.
Grammar
How to Use “throw out” in a Sentence
throw out [object]throw [object] outthrow it/them outVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “throw out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We must chuck out that mouldy bread.
- The judge threatened to throw out the case.
- The old radiator throws out a lot of heat.
American English
- Let's throw out this broken chair.
- The club threw him out for fighting.
- The committee threw out the amendment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The board threw out the merger proposal due to regulatory concerns."
Academic
"The peer reviewers recommended throwing out the flawed dataset."
Everyday
"I need to throw out these expired medicines."
Technical
"The system throws out an error code when it overheats."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “throw out”
- Using 'throw out' for recycling (use 'recycle').
- Confusing 'throw out' (discard) with 'throw up' (vomit).
- Incorrect word order: 'I threw the old sofa out' (correct), not 'I threw out it' (but 'I threw it out' is correct).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Throw away' and 'throw out' are largely interchangeable for disposal. 'Throw out' can also mean to expel a person. 'Chuck out' is a British informal synonym for both.
Yes, particularly in legal contexts ('the case was thrown out') or procedural ones ('the motion was thrown out'). For simple disposal, 'discard' or 'dispose of' is more formal.
Yes. You can say 'throw out the trash' or 'throw the trash out'. With pronouns, you must separate: 'throw it out' (not 'throw out it').
No. It can mean to evict someone (throw out of a house), to reject something abstract (throw out an idea), or to emit something (throw out heat). Context is key.
to get rid of something by putting it in a rubbish bin or taking it to a dump.
Throw out: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθrəʊ ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθroʊ ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “throw out the baby with the bathwater”
- “throw out a lifeline”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine physically THROWING something OUT of a window to get rid of it. This action captures all meanings: disposal, ejection, and rejection.
Conceptual Metaphor
IDEAS/PEOPLE ARE OBJECTS; REJECTION IS PHYSICAL REMOVAL.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'throw out' mean 'to emit'?