1 C1 idiomatic neutral
To give enthusiastic and committed support to a cause, campaign, or person.
"The entire community threw itself behind the campaign to save the local hospital."
throw oneself behind
C1 neutral transitive
To give one's full and enthusiastic personal support to a cause, campaign, person, or effort.
In plain English
To use all your energy and support to help someone or something succeed.
What does "throw oneself behind" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To place the full weight of your body behind something to push it forward.
Actually means
To use all your energy and support to help someone or something succeed.
Usage tip
Always reflexive. Often used in political, social, or organizational contexts. Implies an active, wholehearted form of support rather than passive backing.
Words that pair with "throw oneself behind"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
cause campaign candidate movement effort project
How to conjugate "throw oneself behind"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
throw oneself behind
I/you/we/they
3rd person
throws oneself behind
he/she/it
Past simple
threw oneself behind
yesterday
Past participle
thrown oneself behind
have + pp
-ing form
throwing oneself behind
continuous
Hear "throw oneself behind" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "throw oneself behind" 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.