throw up

verb

threw up; thrown up; throwing up; throws up

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 workNorman 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 despairFrank Conroy

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Case in point: While flying back home to New York after visiting her sister in Los Angeles, her son threw up for the first time in his life—in the middle of a flight. Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 30 May 2025 Some of this could be coming from a place of a fanbase that has thrown up its collective hands at the franchise. Jared Wyllys, Forbes.com, 27 May 2025 Many families, hesitant to keep waiting for a 10-year plan to rescue their local school, throw up their hands in despair. Milly Arciniegas, Hartford Courant, 27 May 2025 Listen to this article 2 min Caitlin Clark threw up her arms, yelled at WNBA referees and punched the air in frustration after a controversial no-call cost her team a chance to knock off the defending champions Saturday. Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw up

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of throw up was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Throw up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%20up. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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

Medical Definition

throw up

intransitive verb
: vomit

More from Merriam-Webster on throw up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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