Browse all

throw it back

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To throw something back where it came from; or in modern slang, a way of describing a specific style of dancing.

Literal meaning: To throw an object back in the direction it came from.

Meanings

1 A2 neutral

To return something physically by throwing it back.

"She caught the ball and immediately threw it back across the net."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 informal

To return a criticism, comment, or challenge to the person who made it.

"Every accusation he made, she threw it back at him with evidence to the contrary."

Grammar: separable
3 C1 idiomatic slang

(Slang, hip-hop/dance culture) To perform a dance move involving rolling or bouncing the hips in a particular way.

"The crowd went crazy when she started throwing it back on the dance floor."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

In contemporary informal/slang usage, particularly in hip-hop culture, 'throw it back' refers to a provocative dance move involving rolling the hips. The phrase is widely used in song lyrics and social media. In more standard usage, it simply means returning something by throwing.

Commonly used with

dance hips face challenge compliment accusation

Forms

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

Understand "throw it back" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "throw it back" on Looplines