throw

/θrəʊ/ verb [T] (threw, thrown)

Definition

throw 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.