What does "throw down" mean (sense 1)?

To throw or drop something onto a surface, often with force or anger. Example: "In frustration, he threw down his pen and walked out of the room."

What does "throw down" mean (sense 2)?

In the phrase 'throw down the gauntlet': to issue a challenge or invitation to compete. Example: "The challenger threw down the gauntlet by publicly daring the champion to a rematch."

What does "throw down" mean (sense 3)?

(Informal, chiefly North American) To perform with great energy and skill; to do something impressive. Example: "The DJ really threw it down at the party last night — the crowd went wild."

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throw down

B2 informal separable transitive/intransitive

To throw or drop something forcefully onto a surface; or to issue a challenge; or (slang) to perform impressively.

In plain English

To throw something down hard onto the floor or a surface; also a way of challenging someone or showing off a great performance.

What does "throw down" mean?

3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B1 neutral

common

To throw or drop something onto a surface, often with force or anger.

"In frustration, he threw down his pen and walked out of the room."

separable

2 B2 idiomatic neutral

common

In the phrase 'throw down the gauntlet': to issue a challenge or invitation to compete.

"The challenger threw down the gauntlet by publicly daring the champion to a rematch."

separable

3 C1 idiomatic slang

uncommon

(Informal, chiefly North American) To perform with great energy and skill; to do something impressive.

"The DJ really threw it down at the party last night — the crowd went wild."

separable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

To hurl something downward onto the ground.

Actually means

To throw something down hard onto the floor or a surface; also a way of challenging someone or showing off a great performance.

Usage tip

The phrase 'throw down the gauntlet' (to issue a challenge) is a very well-known idiom. In informal American English, 'throw down' alone can mean to perform with great energy or to start a fight. Also used in the set phrase 'throw down your weapons' to mean surrendering.

Words that pair with "throw down"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

gauntlet weapons challenge tools arms performance

How to conjugate "throw down"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

throw down

I/you/we/they

3rd person

throws down

he/she/it

Past simple

threw down

yesterday

Past participle

thrown down

have + pp

-ing form

throwing down

continuous

Hear "throw down" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "throw down" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "throw" All phrasal verbs with "down" More B2-level phrasal verbs