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throw down

B2 informal separable both
In simple words

To throw something down hard onto the floor or a surface; also a way of challenging someone or showing off a great performance.

Literal meaning: To hurl something downward onto the ground.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To throw or drop something onto a surface, often with force or anger.

"In frustration, he threw down his pen and walked out of the room."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

In the phrase 'throw down the gauntlet': to issue a challenge or invitation to compete.

"The challenger threw down the gauntlet by publicly daring the champion to a rematch."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic slang

(Informal, chiefly North American) To perform with great energy and skill; to do something impressive.

"The DJ really threw it down at the party last night — the crowd went wild."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The phrase 'throw down the gauntlet' (to issue a challenge) is a very well-known idiom. In informal American English, 'throw down' alone can mean to perform with great energy or to start a fight. Also used in the set phrase 'throw down your weapons' to mean surrendering.

Commonly used with

gauntlet weapons challenge tools arms performance

Forms

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

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