throw up

verb

threw up; thrown up; throwing up; throws up

intransitive verb

: vomit

transitive verb

1

: vomit

2

: to raise quickly

3

: to build hurriedly

new houses thrown up almost overnight

4

: give up, quit

the urge … to throw up all intellectual work

—Norman Mailer

5

: to bring forth : produce

6

: to make distinct especially by contrast : cause to stand out

7

: to mention repeatedly by way of reproach

Phrases

throw up one's hands

: to admit defeat

in the end throws up his hands in despair

—Frank Conroy

Synonyms

• vomit
• hurl

Examples of throw up in a Sentence

she must have eaten something that didn't agree with her because she threw up right after dinner

when the townspeople realized that the President's motorcade would be coming through on its way to the conference, they threw up a hasty “Welcome” sign

Recent Examples on the Web

Even the nutritional character of the soil could be altered because of the influx of sediment deposits and underground water contamination, throwing up other obstacles for cultivation later on. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 7 Oct. 2025

Political players had painted Hollywood red with communism and the studios threw up their hands. —Chris Yogerst, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025

At least several players appeared flustered, with Golden and wideout Dontayvion Wicks seemingly throwing up their hands in confusion. —Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025

The recognizable munchies didn't stop the cast members from moaning, groaning and throwing up as usual. —Breanne L. Heldman, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Rhymes for throw up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup

Kids Definition

throw up

verb

1

: to build or raise hurriedly or quickly

threw up the window

2

: to give up : quit

just wanted to throw the whole thing up

3

: vomit entry 2 sense 1

Medical Definition

throw up

intransitive verb

ˌthrō-ˈəp 

: vomit