throw up

USAGE SUMMARY

"throw up" can be used in written English.
It can refer to either vomiting up food and liquid, or to a situation of making something available quickly and unexpectedly. For example, "Larry had to throw up the report quickly after his boss asked for it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Kids throw up.

The New York Times

"I may throw up".

The New York Times

I'm going to throw up.

The New York Times - Arts

She wants to throw up.

The New Yorker

Then I go throw up.

The New York Times

I wanted to throw up.

The New York Times - Magazine

"And you throw up.

The Guardian - Arts

Contestants rarely throw up.

The New York Times

Some people throw up.

The Guardian - Books

Eat five, throw up, eat two more, throw up again.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

No, this is throw-up.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the context. "Throw up" can also mean to create something quickly. Make sure your meaning is clear.

Common error

Avoid using "throw up" in formal writing when you mean to vomit. While acceptable in informal contexts, it may sound unprofessional. Consider using "vomit" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "throw up" is as a phrasal verb. It can act as an intransitive verb when meaning to vomit or as a transitive verb when meaning to erect something hastily or display a gang sign. Ludwig confirms its use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "throw up" primarily refers to vomiting, but can also mean to produce something quickly or to erect something hastily. While grammatically correct and very common, its usage should be tailored to the context. For formal writing, "vomit" may be more appropriate, as mentioned in Ludwig AI. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, as well as informal online sources. The different meanings of "throw up" require the writer to use caution and make sure that context helps to explain the usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vomit

A more formal and direct synonym for "throw up", often used in medical contexts.

be sick

A common British English alternative for "throw up".

chuck up

An informal synonym, similar in register to "throw up".

regurgitate

Implies a less forceful expulsion than "throw up", often used in biological contexts.

upchuck

A very informal and somewhat childish synonym.

bring up

Can be used as a euphemism for "throw up", softening the directness of the term.

produce unexpectedly

Refers to the 'produce something new' meaning of 'throw up'.

erect hastily

Refers to the 'erect, particularly hastily' meaning of 'throw up'.

abandon

Refers to the 'give up, abandon something' meaning of 'throw up'.

display a gang sign

Refers to the 'display a gang sign using the hands' meaning of 'throw up'.

FAQs

What does "throw up" mean?

The phrase "throw up" primarily means to vomit. However, it can also mean to produce something quickly or to erect something hastily, depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "throw up" when referring to vomiting?

You can use alternatives like "vomit", "regurgitate", or "be sick" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "throw up" appropriate for formal writing?

While "throw up" is widely understood, it's generally more suitable for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using "vomit" or a more technical term to maintain a professional tone.

How can I avoid misinterpreting the meaning of "throw up"?

Pay attention to the context. If someone is talking about illness or food, "throw up" likely means to vomit. If the discussion is about creating or constructing something, it likely has the other meaning of creating something quickly, like 'They "throw up hurdles"'.