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toss off

B2 informal separable transitive
In simple words

To do something quickly without much thought or effort.

Literal meaning: To throw something off or away in one motion.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic informal

To produce or complete something quickly and without great effort.

"She tossed off a reply to the email in less than two minutes."

Grammar: separable
2 B2 idiomatic informal

To drink an entire glass of liquid in one swift motion.

"He tossed off the last of his beer and reached for his coat."

Grammar: separable
3 B2 idiomatic informal

To say something casually or dismissively, without apparent thought.

"He tossed off the criticism with a shrug and moved on."

Grammar: separable
Usage notes

The sense of producing something quickly (a letter, speech, piece of work) is common and neutral in American English. Be aware that in British English, 'toss off' also has a vulgar slang meaning related to masturbation, so caution is advised in British contexts. In the drinking sense, it means to drain a glass quickly.

Commonly used with

letter reply speech essay joke shot

Forms

Base
toss off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tosses off
he/she/it
Past simple
tossed off
yesterday
Past participle
tossed off
have + pp
-ing form
tossing off
continuous

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Synonyms

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