toss out

toss out — phrasal verb

  • toss outbase form
  • tosses out3rd person singular
  • tossing out-ing form
  • tossed outpast simple

1. to throw something that is broken, old, or no longer needed into the trash, gett

1.片語動詞及物B1
釋義

to throw something that is broken, old, or no longer needed into the trash, getting rid of it completely.

例句

Jason tossed out the rotten vegetables from the refrigerator this morning.

tossed out + physical object (rotten vegetables)

The librarian decided to toss out all the damaged books after the flood.

passive context; toss out + damaged books

同義詞
  • throw away

    the most common alternative, used in everyday speech

  • discard

    more formal; often used in written instructions or manuals

  • dump

    suggests getting rid of something in a rough or careless way

反義詞
  • keep

    to retain something instead of throwing it away

  • save

    to store something for future use

文法句型

toss + noun phrase + out

toss out + noun phrase

用法筆記

Object is typically a physical item that is broken, expired, or no longer wanted. The object can come between 'toss' and 'out' or after 'out'.

常見錯誤

❌I tossed out my old phone in the drawer.
✅I put my old phone away in the drawer.
💡'toss out' specifically means to discard into the trash, not just to put something aside.

2. to remove or abandon something that is no longer wanted, such as an old habit, a

2.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to remove or abandon something that is no longer wanted, such as an old habit, an outdated rule, a belief, or unnecessary information.

例句

The company tossed out its old dress code policy and introduced casual Fridays.

toss out + abstract object (policy)

After the failed experiment, the research team tossed out the original hypothesis.

同義詞
  • abandon

    suggests giving up on something intentionally; more formal than 'toss out'

  • scrap

    commonly used for plans, projects, or rules that are no longer useful

  • do away with

    slightly informal; means to put an end to something

反義詞
  • adopt

    to start using a new system, rule, or habit

  • keep

    to continue using or following something

文法句型

toss + noun phrase + out

toss out + noun phrase

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1 (DISCARD), the object in this sense is often abstract — rules, habits, systems, or ideas. Not used for physical trash.

常見錯誤

❌We tossed out the rotten apples from the basket.' (for physical objects, use sense 1 instead)
✅We tossed out the old company policies and started fresh.
💡sense 2 is for non-physical things like rules, systems, or habits.

3. to refuse to accept or consider an idea, suggestion, proposal, or legal case, us

3.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to refuse to accept or consider an idea, suggestion, proposal, or legal case, usually because it is seen as invalid or not worth discussing.

例句

The judge tossed out the case because there was not enough evidence.

legal context: toss out + case/lawsuit

Yan's proposal was tossed out by the committee before anyone could discuss it.

passive: was tossed out by [authority]

同義詞
  • dismiss

    the standard legal term; more formal than 'toss out'

  • reject

    simpler word, used broadly for refusing something

  • throw out

    synonymous; 'throw out' is slightly more informal than 'toss out'

反義詞
  • accept

    to agree to consider or approve a proposal

  • approve

    to give official agreement to a plan or request

文法句型

toss out + noun phrase

be tossed out

用法筆記

Frequently used in legal and business contexts with words like 'case,' 'lawsuit,' 'proposal,' 'claim,' or 'suggestion.' Often appears in the passive voice ('was tossed out by…'). Distinguish from sense 5 (EVICT), where the object is a person being removed from a place.

常見錯誤

❌The judge tossed out the thief from the courtroom.
✅The judge tossed out the case because it lacked evidence.
💡for removing a person from a place, use sense 5 (EVICT) instead.

4. to mention an idea or possibility casually, especially during a discussion or br

4.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to mention an idea or possibility casually, especially during a discussion or brainstorming session, to see if others are interested.

例句

During the meeting, Felix tossed out the idea of working from home on Fridays.

toss out + idea + of + [suggestion]

Ilan tossed out several possible dates for the conference to see preferences.

同義詞
  • suggest

    more direct and neutral; 'toss out' is more casual and tentative

  • propose

    more formal; implies the speaker is seriously recommending something

  • float

    very similar in meaning; 'float an idea' is slightly more metaphorical

文法句型

toss out + noun phrase

用法筆記

This sense implies a casual, non-committal suggestion — the speaker is putting an idea forward for group consideration, not insisting on it. Common in brainstorming and informal meetings.

5. to force a person to leave a place, such as a building, room, or event, usually

5.片語動詞及物B2
釋義

to force a person to leave a place, such as a building, room, or event, usually because of bad behaviour or failure to follow rules.

例句

The landlord tossed out the tenants after they stopped paying rent for three months.

toss out + person for non-payment

Security guards tossed out the noisy fan who was disrupting the concert.

同義詞
  • throw out

    synonymous; equally informal and interchangeable

  • evict

    more formal; specifically used for removing tenants from a property

  • expel

    formal; used for removing someone from an institution like a school

反義詞
  • let in

    to allow someone to enter a place

  • admit

    to allow someone to enter or join a place or group

文法句型

toss + noun phrase + out (of + place)

be tossed out of + place

用法筆記

The subject is usually an authority figure (landlord, security guard, manager, owner). The object is always a person. The place can be specified with 'of' ('tossed out of the bar'). More informal than 'evict' or 'expel.'

常見錯誤

❌She tossed out her boyfriend after the argument.
✅The landlord tossed out the noisy tenants.
💡for removing a person from a romantic relationship, use 'dump' or 'break up with,' not 'toss out.'