throw-off

The referee signals the throw-off to start the match.

Definition

1. Noun (Sport):
   • A start or beginning: "throw-off" refers to the act of initiating play, especially in sports like handball, where the game begins with a throw from the center of the court.
   • A restart: In some sports, "throw-off" can also mean a restart after a goal is scored.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The referee blew the whistle for the throw-off to start the match. (The official signal to begin the game.)
  • After the goal, the opposing team took a quick throw-off. (A restart following a score.)

Advanced Usage

• "to make a throw-off": to execute the initial throw in a sport.
  • The captain made a strong throw-off to gain possession. (The leader started the game with a powerful throw.)

Variants and Related Words

• Throw-off (verb, rare usage): to discard or get rid of something casually.
  • He decided to throw off his old habits. (He abandoned his old routines.)

Synonyms

• Start: the beginning of an activity.
• Kick-off: a similar term used in football (soccer) for the start of play.

Related Idioms

• Throw off the scent: to mislead or distract someone from the truth.
  • The thief threw the police off the scent by leaving false clues. (He misled the authorities.)