throw back

1. 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]

2. 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]

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

They’re stretching out their hamstrings, wrapping tape tight around their hands, and throwing back cans of energy drink.

From Los Angeles Times

"I assume this is a trick of the light and he’s not actually throwing back bourbon on camera, but it’s interesting that the water looks brown," Yglesias shared on X.

From Salon

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

Related Words

• degenerate 
• deteriorate 
• ebb 
• fall back 
• fall off 
• recede 
• revert