throw up

verb

threw up; thrown up; throwing up; throws up

transitive verb

1
: vomit
2
: to raise quickly
3
: to build hurriedly
new houses thrown up almost overnight
4
: give up, quit
the urge … to throw up all intellectual workNorman Mailer
5
: to bring forth : produce
6
: to make distinct especially by contrast : cause to stand out
7
: to mention repeatedly by way of reproach
Phrases
throw up one's hands
: to admit defeat
in the end throws up his hands in despairFrank Conroy

Examples of throw up in a Sentence

she must have eaten something that didn't agree with her because she threw up right after dinner when the townspeople realized that the President's motorcade would be coming through on its way to the conference, they threw up a hasty “Welcome” sign
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When Melania threw up her arms when Trump made a reference to her feet hurting, her hat almost flew off. Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 22 Jan. 2025 If the roller-coaster doesn’t stop soon, someone is going to throw up. Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025 An earlier photo dump from the trip opened with the couple throwing up double middle fingers, with more images of Justin in the cold wilderness, rocking some Kurt Cobain-like oversized yellow shades and a furry hunting cap while sticking his tongue out and ghost riding his SUV. Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 16 Jan. 2025 Israeli and Hamas officials said in December that there had been progress toward a deal, before each blamed the other side for throwing up fresh obstacles. Adam Rasgon, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for throw up 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of throw up was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Throw up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throw%20up. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

throw up

verb
1
: to build or raise hurriedly or quickly
threw up the window
2
: to give up : quit
just wanted to throw the whole thing up
3

Medical Definition

throw up

intransitive verb
: vomit

More from Merriam-Webster on throw up

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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