throw off

as in to distract
to draw the attention or mind to something else the sudden noise just threw me off completely, and I missed my shot

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of throw off The next step for Horton, who’s recovering from a fractured right rib, will be throwing off a mound on Tuesday at Wrigley Field. Andy McCullough, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025 Later, she’s thrown off school grounds for stealing office supplies and sports equipment. Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2025 Neuroscientists are only scratching the surface of what happens when the networks are thrown off balance, but the work could lead to more treatments to fix them, Cembrowski said. Yasemin Saplakoglu, Quanta Magazine, 29 Sep. 2025 Perhaps an unexpected expense throws off your budget, or you’re no longer inspired by a recent investment. Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw off
Recent Examples of Synonyms for throw off
Verb
  • Many young people may be too distracted by the likes of MrBeast, who dropped out of college and turned a passion for video creation into a billion-dollar global empire.
    Preston Fore, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Facilities like Sankofa and Nova House help those recovering from addiction fill their time with activities that distract them from the urge to use.
    Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 17 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • His double in the final — a cheeky free kick and a left-footed volley at the back-post — officially took his tournament tally up to five, but the Famalicao forward saw three further shots diverted into the net for own goals.
    Thom Harris, New York Times, 23 Oct. 2025
  • The plan included launching a mobile booking station to quickly issue citations, stricter curfew and firearm enforcement, and increasing police presence by diverting patrol officers to high-traffic entertainment areas.
    Angelika Ytuarte, jsonline.com, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Throw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/throw%20off. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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