toss out

USAGE SUMMARY

"toss out" is a correct and usable term in written English.
You can use it when talking about getting rid of something, especially when throwing it away. For example: "I decided to toss out the old couch since it was taking up too much space."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What we toss out, are our burdens.

The New York Times

Why not toss out the underperforming partners?

The New York Times

If you toss out this card, you're not paying attention.

The New York Times

Now toss out the booths and shrink the place.

The New York Times

Was I right to toss out his mail?

The New York Times - Magazine

"It's not something that you just toss out there".

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Lemann (pronounced lemon) would not toss out craft altogether.

The New York Times

Google's Richard Gingras said that newspapers need to toss out the concept of editions.

Harvard University

Does that mean we should toss out our one-a-days?

Harvard University

Focusing on newspapers, Gingras said that they need to toss out the concept of editions.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

This should be a toss-out-the-film-and-move-on deal for both clubs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "toss out", consider the context and audience. It is generally suitable for informal settings, but more formal situations may require alternatives like "discard" or "dispose of".

Common error

Avoid using "toss out" in formal documents or professional communications. Instead, opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "eliminate" or "remove" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "toss out" is that of a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "toss" with the particle "out" to create a new verb with a distinct meaning, indicating the act of discarding or throwing something away. Ludwig provides several examples where "toss out" functions in this manner.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Wiki

24%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "toss out" is a common and generally accepted way to describe the action of discarding something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It is most frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and wiki content. While it's suitable for many everyday situations, remember that more formal alternatives like "discard" or "dispose of" may be preferable in professional or academic settings. Avoid overusing "toss out" in contexts where a more sophisticated tone is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

throw away

Very similar in meaning, but perhaps implying less forcefulness than "toss out".

discard

A more formal term for throwing something away.

chuck

An informal term for throwing something, predominantly in British English.

get rid of

A general phrase that can apply to abstract concepts as well as physical objects.

dispose of

A more formal and often more careful way to describe throwing something away, especially if it requires special handling.

dump

To get rid of unwanted items, often unceremoniously or illegally.

eliminate

Suggests removing something, often something undesirable, from a system or process.

remove

A broad term for taking something away, not necessarily implying that it's unwanted.

scrap

Suggests discarding something because it is damaged or no longer useful, especially in industrial contexts.

jettison

To throw or drop something from a moving object. Often used when something is thrown from a plane or boat.

FAQs

What does "toss out" mean?

"Toss out" means to get rid of something, often by throwing it away. It implies a quick or casual action.

How can I use "toss out" in a sentence?

You can use "toss out" in sentences like: "I need to "throw away" the expired food", or "We should "eliminate" any unnecessary expenses".

What is a more formal alternative to "toss out"?

More formal alternatives to "toss out" include "discard", "dispose of", or "eliminate". These are suitable for professional or academic writing.

Is it okay to use "toss out" in business emails?

While "toss out" is understandable, it might be better to use a more professional term like "remove" or "eliminate" in business emails to maintain a formal tone.