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throw about

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To throw things in all directions without being careful, or to use money or words in a very careless, generous, or showy way.

Literal meaning: To hurl something in many different directions.

Meanings

1 B1 informal

To throw or scatter things carelessly in various directions.

"The children were throwing their toys about and making a terrible mess."

Grammar: separable
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."

Grammar: 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."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

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.

Commonly used with

money weight accusations names ideas orders

Forms

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

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