throwing people off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "throwing people off" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is causing confusion or distraction to others. Example: "His sudden change in tone was throwing people off during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Then say: "But the way you're dressing is throwing people off track.

The New York Times

"I'm always getting stood on, throwing people off me, and bench-pressing my teammate," said the 5-foot-3 Probst, one of the smallest athletes on the team.

The New York Times - Sports

For example, critiquing immolation, killing captives and throwing people off high buildings risks arguing against Islamic figures at the core of the Sunni-Shia divide.

The Guardian

The governor "doesn't believe it makes sense to be throwing people off our Medicaid rolls while publicly financing political campaigns," Ms. Feddeman said.

The New York Times

Some internet users clearly find the unrelenting goriness of it all captivating – stonings, decapitations, throwing people off tall buildings, sticking severed heads on spikes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The sharp declines in the number of people receiving public assistance had been achieved, they contended, by simply throwing people off the rolls -- sometimes called "churning" -- and not because they had become self-sufficient.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"The mass start really threw people off".

The New York Times - Sports

He went nuts and tried to throw people off.

The Guardian - Music

"I'm not one to throw people off because they're controversial.

The New Yorker

Weill's multiplicity of styles still seems to throw people off.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think he says some things purposely to throw people off base.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "throwing people off" to describe a deliberate act, ensure the context clearly indicates the intention behind the action. For example, "He used misleading statements to throw people off the scent."

Common error

Avoid using "throwing people off" when the confusion is unintentional or due to natural circumstances. For example, instead of saying "The complex instructions threw people off", consider "The complex instructions confused people."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "throwing people off" functions as a phrasal verb, where "throw" is the verb and "off" is a particle. It primarily acts as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object (people) to complete its meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its valid usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Music

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Lifestyle

8%

Opinion

4%

Sports

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "throwing people off" is a commonly used phrasal verb that describes the act of causing confusion or misdirection, often intentionally. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is correct and widely used. While generally acceptable, more formal alternatives may be suitable for certain contexts. It appears frequently in news and media, and related phrases include ""confusing others"", ""disorienting people"", and ""misleading individuals"". When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the cause and intent of the confusion to avoid misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

confusing others

This alternative highlights the act of causing mental disarray or lack of clarity.

disorienting people

This alternative emphasizes the act of causing someone to lose their sense of direction or perspective.

causing bewilderment

This alternative stresses the creation of a state of perplexity and confusion.

misleading individuals

This alternative focuses on the act of leading someone to a wrong conclusion.

making others lose focus

This alternative describes an action that causes a loss of concentration or attention.

distracting individuals

This alternative focuses on diverting attention away from something.

dislodging individuals

This alternative suggests removing someone or something from a fixed position.

ousting people

This alternative refers to forcibly removing someone from a position or place.

ejecting individuals

This alternative focuses on the act of forcing someone to leave a place or situation.

unseating individuals

This alternative refers literally to physically removing someone from a seat or position, or figuratively to displacing them from a stable situation.

FAQs

How can I use "throwing people off" in a sentence?

You can use "throwing people off" to describe actions that cause confusion or misdirection. For example, "The unexpected plot twist was designed to "confusing others"."

What's the difference between "throwing people off" and "confusing people"?

"Throwing people off" often implies a deliberate attempt to misdirect or distract, while "confusing people" can be unintentional. Think of it this way, misleading strategies can be used for "misleading individuals".

What are some alternatives to "throwing people off"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "disorienting people", "distracting individuals", or "causing bewilderment".

Is "throwing people off" appropriate in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "throwing people off" might be too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "misleading" or ""confusing others"" for greater precision.