throw something away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "throw something away" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to discarding or disposing of an item. Example: "I decided to throw the old magazines away." Alternative expressions include "dispose of" and "get rid of."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"I need you to throw something away for me".

The New Yorker

I would give anything to throw something away and never see it again.

The New Yorker

Don't throw something away just because it has a hole in it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Clients will often seek my approval before making a final decision to throw something away, donate it or sell it.

The Washington Post

In a lot of other countries, they don't have the luxury of just being able to throw something away if it breaks and get a new one.

University of California, Berkeley

Do you operate on the blissful "out of sight, out of mind" principle, believing that to throw something "away" is to vaporize it?

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

"When someone says they're throwing something away, where is away?" Church says.

The Guardian

She said she let go of his hand for just a moment while she threw something away.

The New York Times

"If you threw something away you are disregarding it and you clearly have no use for it and it is going off to the rubbish tip".

Independent

"The pink bags remind people when you're throwing something away to take a second look and think if you can reuse it".

The New York Times

Larry Shapiro, the director of environmental enforcement for the Rockefeller Family Fund, said that over the years, the meaning of "throwing something away" had changed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase for literal disposal of physical objects in neutral contexts. For academic or highly formal writing, consider using a single-word verb like "discard" or "dispose of" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "throw something off" when you mean to discard it. To "throw something off" usually means to shed something like clothes or a fever, or to disrupt a rhythm or balance. If your intention is to put something in the trash, "away" or "out" are the correct particles to use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "throw something away" functions as a transitive phrasal verb. It consists of the base verb "throw", the indefinite pronoun "something" as the direct object and the adverbial particle "away". According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is frequently used to describe the act of discarding refuse or unwanted items. It is a separable phrasal verb, meaning the object can be positioned between the verb and the adverb.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "throw something away" is a versatile and essential phrasal verb in the English language. According to Ludwig, it is highly prevalent in reputable publications such as The New York Times and The Guardian, indicating its acceptance in standard professional prose. While it is categorized as Correct and Common, writers should remain mindful of its separable nature—especially the requirement to place pronouns in the middle ("throw it away"). Whether used in a literal sense for household chores or a figurative sense for missed chances, it remains a clear and direct choice for describing the act of disposal. For highly technical documentation, substituting it with "<a href="/s/dispose+of" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dispose of" may enhance the professional tone of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dispose of something

More formal and often used in professional or technical contexts regarding waste management.

get rid of something

A broader, slightly more casual alternative that can apply to abstract concepts as well as physical objects.

discard something

A neutral, single-word verb that is common in written instructions and formal reports.

toss something out

More informal, implying a quick or careless action of throwing.

bin something

Chiefly British English, specifically referring to placing an item in a rubbish bin.

chuck something away

Very informal and colloquial, often used in spoken British and Australian English.

scrap something

Implies that the object is being discarded because it is no longer useful or is being sold for parts.

junk something

Informal, suggesting the item being thrown away is of little to no value.

jettison something

More dramatic or technical, often used in maritime or aerospace contexts or metaphorically for abandoning plans.

cast something aside

Literary or formal, often used metaphorically for rejecting ideas or relationships.

FAQs

What is the difference between "throw something away" and "throw something out"?

In most contexts, these phrases are interchangeable. However, "<a href="/s/throw+something+out" target="_blank" rel="alternative">throw something out" can sometimes imply a more forceful or literal movement (like out of a window or house), whereas "throw something away" focuses on the intent of getting rid of it permanently.

Can I use "throw something away" in a formal essay?

While grammatically correct, it is often better to use more formal verbs like "<a href="/s/discard" target="_blank" rel="alternative">discard" or "<a href="/s/dispose+of" target="_blank" rel="alternative">dispose of" in academic writing to sound more objective.

Is it "throw away something" or "throw something away"?

Both are correct. For short objects, "throw something away" is more common. However, if the object is long or complex, it is often better to use "<a href="/s/throw+away+something" target="_blank" rel="alternative">throw away something" to keep the verb and particle closer together.

What is a more casual way to say "throw something away"?

You can use informal expressions like "<a href="/s/toss+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">toss it", "<a href="/s/chuck+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">chuck it", or "<a href="/s/pitch+it" target="_blank" rel="alternative">pitch it" depending on your regional dialect.