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 off

—James 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

Synonyms

• abstract
• call off
• detract
• distract
• divert

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

The universe is thrown off balance, and only Ziggy has the power to set things right. —Leo Barraclough, Variety, 14 Oct. 2024

The district was thrown off trajectory and still struggles to make up ground on low testing scores and a lackluster graduation rate, especially compared to statewide averages. —Alexandria Sands, Axios, 24 Sep. 2024

The man was thrown off his bicycle and onto the road, where he was struck a second time by a gray pickup truck. —Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2024

Keep your air clean Plastic particles often end up in the air — when they’re thrown off by tires, for example, or launchedfrom bubbles on the surface of the ocean. —Matthew Griffin, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

throw off

verb

: to send out : emit

a sparkler throws off sparks