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

Since no outside developer or landlord is taking a cut, the arrangement should, in theory, throw off some savings. —Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 11 Aug. 2025

Delay activities that could throw off sparks until the wind dies down. —Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Aug. 2025

Avoid the bone or any thick areas of fat, which can throw off the reading. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 31 July 2025

From about $8,200 annually The Vibe: Calming, elegant, advanced The Deal: The lighting in this four-story space changes with the position of the sun so as not to throw off your circadian rhythm—one of many details that set this club apart. —Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 27 July 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