Browse all

chuck away

B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To get rid of something by throwing it away, sometimes when you probably shouldn't

Literal meaning: To chuck (throw) something away (to a distance or into the bin)

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To throw something into the bin or dispose of it carelessly

"Don't chuck away those leftovers — I'll eat them for lunch tomorrow."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To waste or squander something valuable, such as an opportunity or money (figurative)

"He chucked away his entire savings on bad investments."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

Mainly British English. Slightly more emphatic than 'throw away' and often implies that discarding the item is somewhat wasteful or regrettable. Can be used figuratively to mean wasting an opportunity or resource.

Commonly used with

opportunity chance money food rubbish old clothes

Forms

Base
chuck away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
chucks away
he/she/it
Past simple
chucked away
yesterday
Past participle
chucked away
have + pp
-ing form
chucking away
continuous

Understand "chuck away" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "chuck away" on Looplines