Phrasal verb
throw up
Meanings
to vomit
to build or put up something quickly
to raise an obstacle or barrier suddenly (often to stop something)
Definition
To throw up means to vomit.
To throw up means to vomit, usually because you feel sick. People often use it in everyday speech when talking about nausea from illness, food, or motion. It can also mean to raise something quickly, like a building or a barrier, but the illness meaning is the most common.
Examples
- I threw up after the long boat ride.
- She threw up in the restroom and then sat down for a minute.
- He threw up when the smell from the trash can hit him.
- They threw up a temporary fence around the garden to keep pets out.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say "throw out" when they mean "throw up" (vomit), but "throw out" usually means to discard something.
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.