throw back

Definitions

1. 1

   To hinder the development of something.

2. 2

   To revert to an earlier stage of development.

   • The Century A large proportion of the steerage passengers throw back to their Darwinian ancestry.
3. 3

   To retort.

   • She jumped to her feet and began stalking away. “Going to cost me fifteen dollars to clean this outfit,” she threw back over her shoulder.
4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      To drink quickly, especially alcoholic beverages.

      • We threw back drinks until the next morning.
      • “He and I used to throw back beers every now and then when I was with the Bureau.” Shaw grinned arrogantly.
   2. 5

      Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

      Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see throw, back.

      • I threw back my head and laughed uproariously.
      • We caught several fish in the river but threw them back.
      • We all raised our glasses, threw them back. I was getting better, but I still felt the alcohol harder than Stephen ever had.

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