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 offJames 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

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
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.
Strider has been out three weeks since straining his right hamstring, but kept his arm in shape initially throwing off a knee while the leg healed. David O'Brien, New York Times, 13 May 2025 Linda is thrown off the cliff (a scene that is both grotesque and endlessly ridiculous). Hannah Madlener, Glamour, 2 May 2025 The scooter riders, a 44-year-old Christmas man and a 42-year-old Orlando woman, were thrown off the bike and into the median. Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2025 Now, Weight Watchers isn’t exactly facing bankruptcy because people everywhere are suddenly looking inward and agreeing to throw off the shackles of compulsory thinness. Emma Specter, Vogue, 15 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw off

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

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Cite this Entry

“Throw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%20off. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

throw off

verb
: to send out : emit
a sparkler throws off sparks

More from Merriam-Webster on throw off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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