throw
verb [ T ]
uk/θrəʊ/ usthrew | thrownthrow the book at sb informal
to punish someone as severely as possible for breaking the law:
The US tax authorities threw the book at the European accountancy group over its tax-saving schemes.
throw good money after bad disapproving
to waste money by continuing to invest in something that has already cost a lot and is unlikely to be a success:
The government may be throwing good money after bad by using taxpayers' money to bail out the failing banks.
throw your hat into the ring
to announce that you want to compete for something, be considered for a job, etc.:
He is the sixth candidate to throw his hat into the ring for the top job in the organization.
throw your money around informal disapproving
to spend a lot of money, especially in a way that shows people you are not worried about money:
Despite the biggest recession in over a decade, city professionals still seem to have plenty of money to throw around.
throw money at sth disapproving
to try to solve a problem or make something successful by spending a lot of money, rather than, for example, having new ideas:
The government will have to throw money at any problems to ensure the site is built on time.
throw money down the drain UK ( US throw money down a rat hole)
to waste money by spending it on something that will never be a success or make any profit:
Investors threw money down the drain by making regular contributions to the failed pension plan.
throw your weight around disapproving
to act in a way that emphasizes how much power or authority you have:
The board didn't like the way majority shareholders were throwing their weight around.
throw your weight behind sth
to use your power to support a project, an idea, etc.:
Senior politicians threw their weight behind the charity's campaign.
See also
curveball
Phrasal verbs
throw sth away
throw sth in
throw sth out
throw sth up