throw up meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

throw up

verbalso spelled throw-up

Etymology The vomit sense is a clipping of throw up one's accounts (18th century), from earlier idiom cast up one's accounts (15th century).

9 senses

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

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:
The servant (who) had first entered had thrown up the window […]1910, Arthur Conan Doyle, The Adventure of the Devil's Foot:

Bacteriology, Biology, Microbiology, Natural sciences Ambitransitive, Informal To vomit.

1 more example

I wonder what happens if you throw up in zero gravity.1988 September 19, Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes (comic):

To produce or reveal something new or unexpected.

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

Dated To erect, particularly hastily.

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:
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:

1 more example

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:

Ambitransitive To give up, abandon something.

“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:
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:

To 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:

Dated To enlarge, as a picture reflected on a screen.

Media, Printing, Publishing Obsolete To give special prominence to a line or lines.

intj

Etymology The vomit sense is a clipping of throw up one's accounts (18th century), from earlier idiom cast up one's accounts (15th century).

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

"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:

2 more examples

Oh throw up... Biden & Harris are both losers.2020 December 10, @SherK50662136, X:
Oh throw up. Pringle is better than Hardman. Chiefs done for a long ass time2022 March 22, @Bandwagonfan9, X:

noun

Etymology Deverbal from throw up.

Alternative Alternative spelling of throwup (“vomit”).

Arts, Graffiti, Visual arts Slang Synonym of throwie (“kind of simple graffiti”).

There is a hierarchy of sorts: a throw-up can go over a tag, a piece over a throw-up, and a burner over a piece.2011, Scape Martinez, Graff 2: Next Level Graffiti Techniques, page 124: