What are the definitions of “throw off”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Remove item of clothing quickly.
I THREW OFF my shoes and flopped on the settee.
- 2Get rid of.
It took me ages to THROW OFF the cold.
- 3Produce light or heat.
The lamp THROWS OFF a lot of heat.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “throw off”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb throw off is to remove something quickly, especially an item of clothing. For example, it can mean taking off a jacket when entering a warm room or removing shoes after a long day.
What are the different verb forms of “throw off”?
| Root Verb | throw off |
| Third Person Singular Present | throws off |
| Present Participle | throwing off |
| Simple Past | threw off |
| Past Participle | thrown off |
Example
She threw off her coat as soon as she got home.
Example
He throws off his shoes when he enters the house.
Example
She is throwing off her scarf because it's too warm inside.
Example
Yesterday, he threw off his hat when he got inside.
Example
The wet clothes were thrown off and replaced with dry ones.
What kind of phrasal verb is “throw off”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“throw off” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She threw off her coat when she got home.
Example
He threw the blanket off when he woke up.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“throw off” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She threw off her coat when she got home.
Example
He threw the blanket off when he woke up.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “throw off”?
Good things to know
Does “throw off” have an informal or formal tone?
Throw off is generally considered a neutral to informal phrasal verb. It is commonly used in everyday conversations and casual contexts. However, it can also be used in more formal settings depending on the specific context.
