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throw away

A2 neutral separable transitive
In simple words

To put something in the bin because you don't want it anymore, or to waste something good by being careless.

Literal meaning: To hurl something away from you so you no longer have it.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To put something in the bin or dispose of it because it is no longer wanted or needed.

"I threw away all the old magazines that had been piling up in the corner."

Grammar: separable
2 B1 idiomatic neutral

To waste an opportunity, advantage, or valuable resource through carelessness or poor judgement.

"The team threw away a two-goal lead in the final ten minutes of the match."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic neutral

To say something in a deliberately casual, understated way (a throwaway remark or line).

"He threw away the punchline so casually that half the audience missed it."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

One of the most frequent phrasal verbs in English. Used both literally (throw the bottle away) and figuratively (throw away a lead in a game, throw away a talent). The adjective 'throwaway' (a throwaway remark, throwaway culture) derives from this phrase.

Commonly used with

rubbish chance opportunity lead talent money

Forms

Base
throw away
I/you/we/they
3rd person
throws away
he/she/it
Past simple
threw away
yesterday
Past participle
thrown away
have + pp
-ing form
throwing away
continuous

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Synonyms

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