Meaning & use
toss away
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To throw something into a bin because you no longer want or need it.
Grammar: The object can go between the parts ('toss it away') or after them ('toss away the wrapper'); with a pronoun you must say 'toss it away'.
Patterns
- toss something away
- toss away something
- toss something away in something
Don't toss away those batteries; take them to the recycling point.
She tossed the receipt away without checking it.
We tossed away three bags of old clothes during the clear-out.
verbtransitivefigurative
To waste or carelessly lose something valuable, such as a chance or a talent.
Grammar: Usually used with abstract nouns like 'chance', 'opportunity', or 'career'; the object goes between 'toss' and 'away'.
Patterns
- toss away a chance
- toss away an opportunity
- toss something away on something
He tossed away a great opportunity because he was too proud to apologize.
Don't toss away years of training just because one exam went badly.
verbtransitive
To throw something somewhere casually, especially so that it lands carelessly.
Grammar: Often followed by a place phrase: toss something away from you, toss it away over there.
Patterns
- toss something away from someone
- toss something away over there
He tossed the ball away from the dog and laughed.
She tossed her keys away onto the sofa and collapsed.
Word forms
| third person singular | tosses away |
|---|---|
| past tense | tossed away |
| past participle | tossed away |
| -ing form | tossing away |
Common combinations
- toss away rubbish
- Please toss away your rubbish before you leave the picnic area.
- toss something away carelessly
- He tossed the letter away carelessly and never read it again.
- toss away a chance
- She tossed away a chance to study abroad and regretted it later.
- toss it away
- That jacket still fits you, so don't toss it away.
- toss away the packaging
- Toss away the packaging and keep the instructions.
Synonyms and how they differ
- throw away
- The most common everyday equivalent; 'toss away' sounds a little more casual and physical, often suggesting a light throw.
- discard
- More formal and neutral, used in instructions and writing rather than in speech.
- dump
- Informal and often suggests getting rid of something quickly or improperly.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: toss away or throw out? toss away or toss off?
toss away vs throw out
Similar meaning, but 'throw out' can also mean to force someone to leave a place or to reject a proposal, senses that 'toss away' does not have.
toss away vs toss off
A different phrasal verb meaning to do something quickly and easily, or (informal, vulgar) to masturbate; it is not a synonym for discarding.
Practice
Which sentence is correct?
Choose one answer.
With a pronoun object, the pronoun must come between the verb and 'away': 'toss it away'. The other options place the pronoun wrongly or join two clauses without a connector.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “toss away”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.