throw off

verb

threw off; thrown off; throwing off; throws off

transitive verb

1
a
: to free oneself from : get rid of
threw off his inhibitions
b
: to cast off often in a hurried or vigorous manner : abandon
threw off all restraint
c
: distract, divert
dogs thrown off by a false scent
2
: emit, give off
stacks throwing off plumes of smoke
3
: to produce in an offhand manner : execute with speed or facility
some little … tune that the composer had thrown offJames Hilton
4
a
: to cause to depart from an expected or desired course
mistakes threw his calculations off a bit
b
: to cause to make a mistake : mislead
5
: earn, generate
an investment that throws off a sizable income

intransitive verb

1
: to begin hunting
2
: to make derogatory comments

Examples of throw off in a Sentence

the sudden noise just threw me off completely, and I missed my shot
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The delayed engagement is also throwing off some of the couple's other big life plans. Erin Clack, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025 This strike was not intended to harm the people of Yemen, who rightly want to throw off the yoke of Houthi subjugation and live peacefully. Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Apr. 2025 After having started an AOL chat message friendship with President George W. Bush, Rumi is kidnapped from his home and thrown off a plane into Iraq, with the president himself directing the child to help the U.S. military track down and kill Osama Bin Laden. Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 18 Apr. 2025 That won’t be the case for everyone—athletes who have spent years honing their swings and timing could be thrown off by the new shape, and several players using torpedo bats have had terrible starts to this season. Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for throw off

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of throw off was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Throw off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%20off. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

throw off

verb
: to send out : emit
a sparkler throws off sparks

More from Merriam-Webster on throw off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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