1 B1 informal
To throw or scatter things carelessly in various directions.
"The children were throwing their toys about and making a terrible mess."
separable
throw about
B2 informal separable transitive
To throw something carelessly in various directions; or to use something (such as money or words) freely and without care.
In plain English
To throw things in all directions without being careful, or to use money or words in a very careless, generous, or showy way.
What does "throw about" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To use money, praise, or accusations freely and carelessly, often in a showy way.
"He won the lottery and started throwing money about as if it would never run out."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
In the phrase 'throw one's weight about': to use one's authority or power aggressively and in a way that annoys others.
"The new supervisor started throwing his weight about from day one, which upset the whole team."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To hurl something in many different directions.
Actually means
To throw things in all directions without being careful, or to use money or words in a very careless, generous, or showy way.
Usage tip
Also appears as 'throw around'. When used figuratively with 'money' or 'names', it implies showing off or being recklessly generous. The phrase 'throw one's weight about' means to use one's authority or power in an aggressive, bullying way and is a common British idiom.
Words that pair with "throw about"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
money weight accusations names ideas orders
How to conjugate "throw about"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
throw about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
throws about
he/she/it
Past simple
threw about
yesterday
Past participle
thrown about
have + pp
-ing form
throwing about
continuous
Hear "throw about" in the wild
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