Throw

Among SLANG and COLLOQUIAL USAGES may be enumerated: TO THROW A LEVANT = to make off: see BUNK; TO THROW A SOP TO CERBERUS (see SOP); TO THROW COLD WATER = to discourage, ‘to damp’; TO THROW DUST (or PEPPER) IN THE EYES = to mislead, to dupe; TO THROW OFF = (1) to do or talk offhandedly: spec. to convey unpleasant allusions under a mask of pleasantry (GROSE); (2) ‘to brag of past booty’ (thieves’: GROSE); (3) to discard; and (4) to start the pack (fox-hunters’); TO THROW ONESELF INTO = to do zealously; TO THROW OUT = to expel with violence; TO THROW OVER = to desert; TO THROW OVERBOARD = to abandon; TO THROW TOGETHER = (1) to do hastily, and (2) to bring together frequently: as ‘their marriage came about through being THROWN much TOGETHER’; TO THROW UP = to resign; to desist; to CHUCK UP (q.v.); TO THROW UP THE SPONGE (see SPONGE); TO THROW ABOUT = to seek an opportunity, to try expedients; TO THROW BACK = to revert; TO THROW IN FOR = to enter: as for a race; TO THROW TO THE DOGS = to put aside as valueless; TO THROW OFF THE BELT = to stop; TO HAVE A THROW AT = to attack; TO THROW SNOT ABOUT = to weep; TO THROW (or THROW DOWN) A PAPER (LESSON, EXAMINATION, etc.) = TO FLOOR (q.v.).

  1591.  SPENSER, Prosopopoia, or Mother Hubberds Tale, 80.

  1698.  COLLIER, A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage, 101. The Old Batchelour has a THROW at the Dissenting Ministers.

  1711.  ADDISON, The Spectator, No. 105, 30 June. I could not forbear THROWING TOGETHER such reflections as occurred to me on that subject.

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. THROW. … To talk flash of robberies past, or in contemplation, when in company with family people, is also termed THROWING OFF; meaning to banish all reserve, none but friends being present; also, to sing when called on by the company present.

  1808.  The Trial of Lieut. Gen. Whitelocke (MOTTLEY), ii. 442. He had stated that I was THROWING COLD WATER on every thing he did.

  1809.  MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 168. THROWING TO THE DOGS all the mental physic they poured in; they would have none of it.

  1842–3.  THACKERAY, Fitz-Boodle’s Confessions, Preface. I at once THREW UP my hopes of military distinction and retired into civil life.

  1845.  B. DISRAELI, Sybil; or, The Two Nations, IV. i. They say the Rads are going to THROW US OVER.

  1868.  WHYTE-MELVILLE, The White Rose, II. xi. A vast number of engagements, any of which … he was ready to THROW OVER at a moment’s notice.

  1870.  L. T. SMITH, English Gilds [E.E.T.S.], Introduction, xiii. It would be well to THROW his notes and materials INTO some SHAPE.

  1885.  A. DOBSON, Steele, Introduction, xxx. Often Addison’s most brilliant efforts are built upon a chance hint THROWN OFF at random by Steele’s hurrying pen.

  1891.  LEHMANN, Harry Fludyer at Cambridge, 98. These blessed exams, are getting awfully close now; but I think I shall floor mine, and Dick’s sure TO THROW his examiners down.

  1892.  I. L. BIRD, The Golden Chersonese and the way thither, xii. Who THREW COLD WATER on the idea.

  THROW THE FEET, verb. phr. (American tramps’). See quot.

  1900.  FLYNT, Tramping with Tramps, 397. THROW THE FEET: To beg, ‘hustle,’ or do anything that involves much action.