throw away — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings

1 discardTo get rid of something you do not want or need by putting it in the trash.
2 waste an opportunityTo fail to use a chance or opportunity, often by making a mistake or not trying.

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discard

B1throw sth awayMost common

To get rid of something you do not want or need by putting it in the trash.

I threw away all the old magazines last weekend.

A: Do you want this broken chair?
B: No, just throw it away.

If I see food in the fridge that's gone bad, I usually throw it away to avoid getting sick.

Common mistake

✗I threw away it.

✓I threw it away.

With a pronoun, the object goes in the middle: 'throw it away'.

Tell it apart

I threw the receipt away.

binned it

I threw away a great chance.

wasted it — sense

Use 'throw away' for things you no longer want, especially rubbish or old items.Not the same as 'give away', which means to give something to someone else for free.

Often paired with

throw away + rubbish

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waste an opportunity

B2throw away sth

To fail to use a chance or opportunity, often by making a mistake or not trying.

She threw away her chance to study abroad by missing the application deadline.

A: Did you apply for that job?
B: No, I forgot. I guess I threw away a great opportunity.

Many people regret throwing away opportunities when they were younger, especially related to education or career.

Common mistake

✗Don't throw away your future away.

✓Don't throw your future away.

Don't double 'away'; with a noun object it can go either side.

Tell it apart

Don't throw this chance away.

waste it

Don't throw the ticket away.

bin it — sense

This sense is about missing a good chance, not about rubbish.Different from the literal sense of 'throw away', which is about objects.

Often paired with

throw away + chance

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discard waste an opportunity