Main Entry: throw off

Function: verb

Date: 1604

transitive verb

1 a : to free oneself from : get rid of <threw off his inhibitions> b : to cast off often in a hurried or vigorous manner : abandon <threw off all restraint> c : distract, divert <dogs thrown off by a false scent>
2 : emit, give off <stacks throwing off plumes of smoke>
3 : to produce in an offhand manner : execute with speed or facility <some little…tune that the composer had thrown off — James Hilton>
4 a : to cause to depart from an expected or desired course <mistakes threw his calculations off a bit> b : to cause to make a mistake : mislead
5 : earn, generate <an investment that throws off a sizable income>intransitive verb 1 : to begin hunting
2 : to make derogatory comments