throw away

phrasal verb·2 senses·particle away

Meanings

1

Get rid of something you no longer want

Why “away”? A broom sweeps aside. Unwanted items are pushed out of the scene.

Throw the old bread away.
Get rid of the old bread.
Maya threw away the broken charger.
Maya got rid of the broken charger.
I threw away the old magazines.
I got rid of the old magazines by binning them.
2

Waste an opportunity or advantage

Don't throw away your chance.
Don't waste your chance.
He threw away his lead in the final lap.
He wasted his lead in the final lap.

Don't confuse with

throw awaythrow around

Throw away means get rid of something you no longer want. Throw around means use words or sums freely or carelessly.

Test yourself

Throw the old bread away. What does it mean?

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