1 B1 neutral
To include something extra, especially at no additional cost.
"If you order the laptop today, we'll throw in a free laptop bag."
separable
throw in
B1 informal separable transitive
To include something extra at no extra cost; to add something casually to a conversation or situation; or to give up (in the set phrase 'throw in the towel').
In plain English
To add something extra for free, or to say something in the middle of a conversation, or to give up fighting.
What does "throw in" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 informal
To add a remark or comment casually into a conversation.
"He threw in a joke halfway through the presentation to lighten the mood."
separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal
In the phrase 'throw in the towel': to give up or admit defeat.
"After months of failing to secure funding, the startup finally threw in the towel."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To throw something into a container, a situation, or a game.
Actually means
To add something extra for free, or to say something in the middle of a conversation, or to give up fighting.
Usage tip
Very commonly used in sales and commerce to mean adding a free extra ('if you buy today, we'll throw in a free case'). Also used conversationally to mean making a casual remark. The idiom 'throw in the towel' (from boxing) means to give up. Also used in British football: 'throw-in' is a noun for restarting play.
Words that pair with "throw in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
free bonus comment remark towel extras
How to conjugate "throw in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
throw in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
throws in
he/she/it
Past simple
threw in
yesterday
Past participle
thrown in
have + pp
-ing form
throwing in
continuous
Hear "throw in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "throw in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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