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throw back

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throw someone or something back

to return someone or something by tossing. The sailor climbed out of the water into the boat, and his mates grabbed him and threw him back. That was their idea of fun. Karen threw back the undersize fish.

See also: back, throw

throw something back

Sl. to eat or drink something quickly. He threw a beer back and got up and left. She threw back a beer.

See also: back, throw

throw back

1. Hinder the progress of, check, as in His illness threw his schooling back a year, or The troops were thrown back by a barrage of fire. [First half of 1800s]

2. Revert to an earlier type or stage, as in That dog throws back to his wolf ancestors. This usage gave rise to the noun throwback, a reversion to a former stage or type. [Second half of 1800s]

3. throw back on. Cause to depend on, make reliant on, as in When the violinist didn't show up, they were thrown back on the pianist. [Mid-1800s]

See also: back, throw

throw back

v.

1. To return something with a throw: The catcher threw the ball back. The players threw back the ball to the coach.

2. To fling something, such as a body part, backward: I threw back my head in laughter at that scene. The player threw his arm back to catch that ball.

3. To return some fish to the water after catching it: When you throw a fish back, hold it in the current until it recovers. Throw back the trout—it's too small to keep.

4. To hinder the progress of someone or something; check someone or something: The lack of money threw back the project. The storm threw the schedule back.

5. Slang To drink something, especially alcohol, in one draft by suddenly tilting: We threw back a couple of beers. The club members are at the bar throwing shots back.

6. throw back on To cause someone to depend on someone or something; make someone reliant on someone or something: The economic downturn threw us back on our own resources.

See also: back, throw