thrown off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thrown off" is correct and is used in written English.
It is typically used as a way to describe an action that occurred abruptly or unexpectedly. For example: "The sudden gust of wind threw off his balance and he stumbled to the ground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Piotrovsky seemed thrown off balance.

The New Yorker

Martha's not thrown off anywhere.

The New York Times - Magazine

Rosoff is not thrown off course.

Independent

You got me thrown off this flight".

The New York Times

Pryor's rhythm was thrown off.

The New Yorker

Here, you're thrown off balance.

The New York Times

You feel perplexed, a little thrown off.

The New York Times - Arts

What was thrown off that bridge?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Players cannot be thrown off by them.

The New York Times - Sports

But this venture was thrown off track.

The New York Times - Food

The buyback system is thrown off.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "thrown off" to describe a disruption, ensure the context clearly indicates what was disrupted and what the consequences were. For instance, "The unexpected news threw off the team's schedule, leading to delays."

Common error

Avoid overusing passive voice with "thrown off" when active voice would be more direct and impactful. Instead of "The meeting was thrown off by his comments", try "His comments threw off the meeting."

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "thrown off" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a disruption, imbalance, or removal. Ludwig examples demonstrate this across various contexts, affirming its versatility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "thrown off" is a versatile and frequently used expression signifying disruption, imbalance, or removal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. Ludwig's analysis indicates that while alternatives such as "disrupted" or "derailed" exist, "thrown off" remains a common choice for conveying these meanings. When using this phrase, writers should aim for clarity in specifying what has been disrupted and avoid overuse of passive voice to maintain a direct and impactful tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disrupted

This alternative emphasizes the interruption or disturbance of a process or state.

derailed

This alternative suggests that something has been diverted from its intended course or plan.

destabilized

This alternative highlights the loss of stability or balance.

unsettled

This alternative focuses on the feeling of being disturbed or uneasy.

unbalanced

This alternative focuses on the loss of physical or emotional equilibrium.

discombobulated

This alternative implies a state of confusion or disorientation.

taken aback

This alternative emphasizes surprise or shock.

removed

This alternative indicates a physical or official removal from a place or position.

dislodged

This alternative suggests being forcibly moved from a fixed position.

ejected

This alternative suggests a forceful or abrupt removal.

FAQs

How can I use "thrown off" in a sentence?

You can use "thrown off" to describe something that has been disrupted or unbalanced, such as "The sudden change in plans threw off my entire day". It can also mean to be ejected or removed from something, like "He was "removed" from the team for violating the rules".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "thrown off"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "disrupted", "derailed", "unsettled", or "ejected". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "thrown off" grammatically correct?

Yes, "thrown off" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb. It is commonly used in both spoken and written English to indicate disruption, imbalance, or removal.

What is the difference between "thrown off" and "taken aback"?

"Thrown off" generally implies a disruption or imbalance, while "taken aback" suggests surprise or shock. For example, "The news threw off my schedule" (disrupted) versus "I was taken aback by the unexpected announcement" (surprised).