1 B1 informal
To throw something away casually, treating it as unimportant or worthless.
"He tossed away the receipt without checking if the charge was correct."
separable
toss away
B1 informal separable transitive
To discard or get rid of something carelessly.
In plain English
To throw something away without caring about it.
What does "toss away" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
(Figurative) To waste or squander an opportunity or advantage carelessly.
"She felt she had tossed away her chance at a promotion by not speaking up in the meeting."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To throw something away in a casual, light manner.
Actually means
To throw something away without caring about it.
Usage tip
Interchangeable with 'throw away' in most contexts, but 'toss away' often implies greater carelessness or indifference. Can also be used figuratively for wasting an opportunity.
Words that pair with "toss away"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
rubbish receipt chance opportunity wrapper leaflet
How to conjugate "toss away"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
toss away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tosses away
he/she/it
Past simple
tossed away
yesterday
Past participle
tossed away
have + pp
-ing form
tossing away
continuous
Hear "toss away" in the wild
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