throw the idea

USAGE SUMMARY

"throw the idea" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to express the idea of either discarding or rejecting an idea. For example, "After careful consideration of all the potential solutions, they decided to throw the idea of splitting the company into two."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The aim of this project is really to throw the idea out there".

The New York Times

It also explores some of the odd assumptions we make about ourselves and the world once we've decided to throw the idea God in the garbage.

Vice

The only way you can survive is to throw the idea of cool shoes overboard (hence the industrial rubber boots) and focus all your punk rations where they count up top with the living.

Vice

You also might throw the idea of the prepaid cell phone so that they will have a fixed cost to consider.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Pietsch threw the idea out to Mr. Hamill.

The New York Times - Books

He says he threw the idea into the mix, but it was a no-go area.

The Guardian - Sport

"I had no real intention of being a U.F.C. fighter, and this guy just threw the idea out there and I went with it".

The New York Times - Sports

We've thrown the idea around of adding a musician or musicians, maybe a horn section or a steel guitar, not all the way through but on a cut-by-cut basis – I don't want to get too eclectic".

The Guardian - Music

He threw the idea of word processing into the IBM suggestion box and was paid the princely sum of 25 Deutsche Marks for it.

BBC

Fetchnotes basically throws the idea of prioritization out the window with its apps, which work on iPhone, Android, Mac, PC and even Linux.

TechCrunch

He then teamed up with some folks, made a video and threw the idea up on Indegogo — it went viral and raised close to $665,000.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "throw the idea" to mean 'suggest', ensure the context clarifies that the idea is being presented for consideration, not necessarily discarded.

Common error

Avoid using "throw the idea" when you strictly mean 'reject' or 'discard'. Use more precise language like "reject the proposal" to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "throw the idea" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "throw" acts as a verb indicating the action of presenting or discarding an idea (the noun phrase). Ludwig indicates it can be used to express either discarding or rejecting an idea.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "throw the idea" is a versatile expression that, according to Ludwig, can denote either the introduction of an idea for consideration or its rejection. Its usage is more common in news and media contexts and in wiki environments. While grammatically correct, the intended meaning hinges significantly on the context. For clarity, users should be mindful of potential ambiguity and choose more precise phrasing when emphasizing rejection, such as "reject the proposal". The phrase holds a neutral register, fitting into various communicative situations. While there are few examples, the best alternatives are "introduce the concept" or "discard the plan".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

introduce the concept

Focuses on initial presentation rather than subsequent consideration.

suggest the notion

Emphasizes proposing something for consideration, not necessarily discarding it.

float the possibility

Implies a tentative suggestion, less forceful than "throw the idea".

advance the proposal

Highlights bringing an idea forward for discussion or approval.

present the thought

A neutral way of introducing an idea, lacking the potential for rejection implied by "throw".

discard the plan

Specifically indicates rejection or abandonment, focusing on a plan rather than a general idea.

reject the suggestion

Directly conveys disapproval or refusal of an idea.

dismiss the concept

Indicates a quick rejection or lack of serious consideration.

abandon the project

Emphasizes cessation of work on a particular project, more specific than a general idea.

scrap the proposal

Suggests completely eliminating a proposal, often with a sense of finality.

FAQs

How can I use "throw the idea" in a sentence?

You can use "throw the idea" to mean suggesting an idea for consideration, as in "The aim of this project is really to throw the idea out there". You can also use it when discarding an idea, as in "throw the idea of cool shoes overboard".

What can I say instead of "throw the idea"?

You can use alternatives like "introduce the concept", "suggest the notion", or "float the possibility" depending on the context.

Is it more common to "throw the idea out there" or to simply "throw the idea"?

While both are grammatically correct, "throw the idea out there" is more common. It emphasizes making the idea known or public.

Can "throw the idea" also mean to reject an idea?

Yes, depending on the context, "throw the idea" can mean to reject or discard an idea, as in "throw the idea of solving it".