throw off
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To get rid of something unwanted: To free oneself from something that is burdensome, restrictive, or undesirable.
- To remove hastily: To take off or discard something, especially clothing, quickly.
Usage
- The verb "throw off" is a separable phrasal verb. The object (what is being removed) can be placed between "throw" and "off" or after "off."
- Correct: He threw off his jacket. / He threw his jacket off.
- Correct: She threw off the feeling of doubt.
- It often implies a quick, decisive, or forceful action to remove or escape something.
Examples
- To get rid of something (abstract):
- After a week of rest, she finally threw off the lingering cold.
- The company is trying to throw off its outdated reputation.
- To remove something (physical):
- He threw off the heavy blankets because the room was too warm.
- The dog threw off its leash and ran into the park.
Advanced Usage
- "to throw off one's pursuers": To escape from someone who is chasing you.
- The spy made a sudden turn to throw off his pursuers.
- "to throw off the balance": To cause someone or something to become unsteady or unstable.
- The sudden noise threw off my concentration during the exam.
Variants and Related Words
- Shed (verb): To allow something to fall off; to get rid of. Often used for natural processes (e.g., leaves, skin) or abstract qualities.
- The snake sheds its skin. / He shed his shyness.
- Cast off (phrasal verb): To discard or get rid of. Common in nautical contexts (releasing a boat) or knitting.
- The sailor cast off the rope. / She cast off her old worries.
Synonyms
- Discard: To get rid of something no longer useful or desirable.
- Shake off: To free oneself from something, especially something persistent.
- Escape: To break free from confinement or control.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Throw out: To discard something as trash; to expel someone.
- We need to throw out these old magazines.
- Throw away: Similar to "throw out," meaning to discard.
- Don't throw away this opportunity.
Related Idioms
- Throw off the scent/trail: To mislead or confuse someone who is trying to find or follow you.
- The fugitive doubled back to throw the police off the trail.
- Throw off one's game: To disrupt someone's performance or focus.
- The heckler in the audience threw the comedian off his game.
Verb
- get rid of
- I couldn't shake the car that was following me
- get rid of
- he shed his image as a pushy boss
- shed your clothes