throw off

verb

threw off; thrown off; throwing off; throws off

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

Synonyms

• distract
• divert

Examples of throw off in a Sentence

the sudden noise just threw me off completely, and I missed my shot

Recent Examples on the Web

Schiermeyer’s mother, Orlando, 51, also recalls feeling thrown off by her first pageant. —Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2025

Worse, the aluminum has a tendency to throw off fragments when struck, producing more debris, which is rather counterproductive. —David Szondy october 26, New Atlas, 26 Oct. 2025

The latter was looking to win a throw off the former with his clearance, but Aaronson managed to divert it back off the defender for a Leeds ball. —Beren Cross, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025

Even a tablespoon or two less honey or molasses than your recipe calls for can throw off the balance of moisture and sweetness, affecting texture, flavor, and consistency. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Rhymes for throw off

• ashraf
• checkoff
• cutoff
• falloff
• handoff
• kickoff
• layoff
• liftoff
• markoff
• markov
• payoff
• playoff

Kids Definition

throw off

verb

: to send out : emit

a sparkler throws off sparks