Definition

1. Verb:

   • To throw something lightly or carelessly: To propel something, especially with a quick, light, or casual motion of the hand or arm.
   • To move or cause to move from side to side or up and down in a restless, violent, or agitated way: Often used to describe the motion of waves, a ship, or a person's restless movement.
   • To flip a coin: To throw a coin into the air so that it turns over and over, used to decide something based on which side lands face up.
   • To mix food by lifting and turning it: To combine ingredients, especially a salad, by gently lifting and dropping them.

2. Noun:

   • An act of throwing something lightly or casually: The action of tossing.
   • An abrupt, quick movement, especially of the head: A sudden upward or backward jerk.
   • The act of deciding something by flipping a coin: The instance of using a coin toss to make a decision.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Please toss the keys to me. (Throwing lightly)
  • The boat began to toss on the rough waves. (Moving violently)
  • Let's toss a coin to decide who goes first. (Flipping a coin)
  • Toss the salad with the vinaigrette just before serving. (Mixing food)

• Noun:

  • With a quick toss, he sent the paper into the bin. (An act of throwing)
  • She answered with a dismissive toss of her head. (An abrupt head movement)
  • The winner of the toss gets to choose which side to play on. (Coin flip decision)

Advanced Usage

• "to toss and turn": To be unable to sleep, moving restlessly in bed.

  • I was so anxious that I tossed and turned all night.

• "to toss one's hat/cap into the ring": To announce one's candidacy or intention to enter a contest.

  • After much speculation, the senator finally tossed his hat into the ring for the presidential election.

• "to toss a salad": To mix a salad by gently lifting and turning the ingredients.

  • A good chef knows how to properly toss a salad to coat every leaf.

Variants and Related Words

• Tosser (n, informal, chiefly British): A foolish or contemptible person. (Note: This is a slang term and can be offensive.)
• Toss-up (n): A situation where two possibilities are equally likely; an even chance.
  • It's a toss-up between the red and the blue dress.

Synonyms

• Verb: Throw, fling, hurl, chuck, flip, pitch, agitate, jolt.
• Noun: Throw, fling, pitch, jerk, lurch.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Toss away/out: To discard or throw something away.

  • He tossed away the old newspapers.

• Toss back: To drink something quickly; to return something with a throwing motion.

  • He tossed back his drink and left the bar.

• Toss off: To produce or accomplish something quickly and easily; (informal) to drink something quickly.

  • She can toss off a poem in just a few minutes.
  • He tossed off his coffee and ran out the door.

• Toss up: To flip a coin; to prepare a meal quickly.

  • We couldn't agree, so we decided to toss up for it.

Related Idioms

• Argue the toss (British): To dispute a decision or disagree unnecessarily about something that has already been decided.

  • The decision's been made, so there's no point arguing the toss.

• Not give a toss (British, informal): To not care at all.

  • I don't give a toss what they think.

Noun

1. an abrupt movement
   • a toss of his head
2. (sports) the act of throwing the ball to another member of your team
   • the pass was fumbled
3. the act of flipping a coin

Verb

1. agitate
   • toss the salad
2. throw or cast away
   • Put away your worries
3. move or stir about violently
   • The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed
4. throw carelessly
   • chuck the ball
5. lightly throw to see which side comes up
   • I don't know what to do--I may as well flip a coin!
6. throw or toss with a light motion
   • flip me the beachball
   • toss me newspaper