throw down

verb

threw down; thrown down; throwing down; throws down

transitive verb

1

: to cause to fall : overthrow

2

: precipitate

3

: to cast off : discard

4

: to make (a slam dunk) with exceptional force

Synonyms

• depress
• drop
• lower
• throw

Examples of throw down in a Sentence

throw down the gun, and put your hands up

Recent Examples on the Web

In global development, something like 60 to 70 percent of interventions tested show no results at all, which effectively means the money donated could have just been thrown down a hole. —Dylan Matthews, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024

By keeping the narrative in the present tense, Eisenberg throws down a cinematic gauntlet, of bringing history to life in the present tense, photographically and dramatically. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024

Zubac capped his stellar night by throwing down a dunk off a pass from Kris Dunn that sealed the deal for the Clippers with 42.2 seconds left, giving his team a seven-point lead. —Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times, 29 Oct. 2024

Many are eager to see two of the most devastating strikers in the sport go at it, but when Pacheco threw down the gauntlet of Cyborg not being an equally well-rounded fighter, that got Ray Elbe, Cyborg’s fiancée and coach, setting up an undeniably superb camp. —Brian Martin, Orange County Register, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1