throw up

present singular third person throws up · participle present throwing up · past threw up · participle past thrown up

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see throw, up.

   The servant (who) had first entered had thrown up the window […]

   1910, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Devil's Foot

   1 more example

   Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

   1823, Clement Clarke Moore, 'Twas the Night Before Christmas

2. ambitransitiveinformalbacteriologyTo vomit.

   The baby threw up all over my shirt.

   2 more examples

   That cat is always throwing up hairballs.

   I wonder what happens if you throw up in zero gravity.

   1988 September 19, Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes (comic)

   Synonyms: chuck up, hurl, upchuck, vomit

3. transitiveTo produce or reveal something new or unexpected.

   This system has thrown up a few problems.

4. transitiveTo cause something such as dust or water to rise into the air.

   The car wheels threw up a shower of stones.

5. datedtransitiveTo erect, particularly hastily.

   In other words, a business can throw up a huge detour sign in the way of the government.

   2001, Diane Kennedy, Loop-Holes of the Rich: How the Rich Legally Make More Money & Pay Less Tax, Warner Books,, →ISBN, page 70

   2 more examples

   Every depression in the ground had been utilized; every rise taken advantage of, to dig rifle-pits or throw up a little earthwork, surrounded with sand-bags […]

   1872, Every Saturday, page 96

   The deal was that if anyone started catching feelings, he could throw up a stop sign and the other would honor it.

   2007, Marissa Monteilh, Dr. Feelgood, Kensington Books, →ISBN, page 27

   Synonyms: run up, knock up, throw together, knock together, slap together, knock up

6. ambitransitiveTo give up, abandon something.

   In 1944, believing, as people in Leeds tended to do, that flying bombs or no flying bombs, things were better Down South, Dad threw up his job with the Co-op and we migrated to Guildford.

   2011, Alan Bennett, “Baffled at a Bookcase”, in London Review of Books, XXXIII.15

   1 more example

   “No!” returned the spy. “I throw up. I confess that we were so unpopular with the outrageous mob, that I only got away from England at the risk of being ducked to death, and that Cly was so ferreted up and down, that he never would have got away at all but for that sham. Though how this man knows it was a sham, is a wonder of wonders to me.”

   1859, Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

7. transitiveTo display a gang sign using the hands.

   Why don't you go on and throw up ya gang sign. Represent your hood, homey?

   2005, Brandon Bennett, Moon in Gemini, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 56

8. datedtransitiveTo enlarge, as a picture reflected on a screen.
9. obsoletetransitivemediaTo give special prominence to a line or lines.

alternative throwup · alternative throw-up

1. colloquialmisspellinguncountableMisspelling of throwup (“vomit”).

   We had to scrub the seats for throw up when we left the dog in the car.

1. dismissalUsed as an expression of frustration or to dismiss a conversation partner.

   Oh throw up... Biden & Harris are both losers.

   2020 December 10, @SherK50662136, X

   3 more examples

   "Oh, throw up," thought Rayne. "Don't say they've taken a fancy to each other."

   2011, Kate Cann, Consumed

   Oh, throw up. Really? Since when does Hannah need to be rescued by anyone for anything?

   2018, Hillary Homzie, Apple Pie Promises, Sky Pony Press

   Oh throw up. Pringle is better than Hardman. Chiefs done for a long ass time

   2022 March 22, @Bandwagonfan9, X