throw back

1. Revert to an earlier type or stage, as in That dog throws back to his wolf ancestors . This usage gave rise to the noun throwback , a reversion to a former stage or type. [Second half of 1800s]

2. Hinder the progress of, check, as in His illness threw his schooling back a year , or The troops were thrown back by a barrage of fire . [First half of 1800s]

3. throw back on . Cause to depend on, make reliant on, as in When the violinist didn't show up, they were thrown back on the pianist . [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

You tell me, her inquisitor throws back at her, and she concludes somewhat hollowly, “I don’t know.”

From Salon

Deckhands throw back the stones and pack the scallops in ice below deck.

From BBC

Democrats want to "take away your hamburgers," they say, and force Independence Day barbecuers to "throw back a plant-based beer with your grilled Brussels sprouts."

From Salon

Acuña said he was looking to take third when he anticipated a slow throw back to the mound from catcher Joey Bart.

From Seattle Times

From his seat on the warning track, Canzone managed to make a heads-up throw back to the infield — a one-hopper to second base that kept the Cubs’ Michael Busch from advancing past first base.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• fend off
• overthrow
• put down
• rebuff
• repel
• resist
• ward off