toss
toss1 /tɒs $ tɒːs/ 
verb
toss something into/onto etc something
She crumpled the letter and tossed it into the fire.
toss something aside/over etc
Toss that book over, will you?
toss something to somebody
‘Catch!’ said Sandra, tossing her bag to him.
toss somebody something
Frank tossed her the newspaper.
2. [intransitive and transitive] to move about continuously in a violent or uncontrolled way, or to make something do this
toss something around/about
The small boat was tossed about like a cork.
3. toss and turn to keep changing your position in bed because you cannot sleep:
I’ve been tossing and turning all night.
4. [intransitive and transitive] (also toss up) especially British English to throw a coin in the air, so that a decision will be made according to the side that faces upwards when it comes down
SYN flip American English:
They tossed a coin to decide who would go first.
toss (somebody) for it
We couldn’t make up our minds, so we decided to toss for it.
5. [transitive] to throw something up into the air and let it fall to the ground:
The crowd cheered, banging pots and tossing confetti into the air.
6. toss a pancake British English to throw a pancake upwards so that it turns over in the air and lands on the side that you want to cook
SYN flip American English
7. [transitive] to move pieces of food about in a small amount of liquid so that they become covered with the liquid:
Toss the carrots in some butter before serving.
8. toss your head/hair written to move your head or hair back suddenly, often with a shaking movement showing anger:
He tossed his head angrily and left the room.
toss off phrasal verb
1. toss something ↔ off to produce something quickly and without much effort:
one of those painters who can toss off a couple of pictures before breakfast
2. toss something ↔ off written to drink something quickly:
He tossed off a few whiskies.
3. toss (somebody) off British English informal not polite to masturbate
toss something/somebody ↔ out phrasal verb American English informal
1. to get rid of something that you do not want
SYN throw out:
I tossed most of that stuff out when we moved.
2. to make someone leave a place, especially because of bad behaviour
SYN throw out
toss something/somebody ↔ out of
Kurt was tossed out of the club for trying to start a fight.
▪ throw to make something such as a ball or stone move quickly through the air using your hand: I threw the ball back to him. | Protestors began throwing stones at the police. | I just threw the letter in the bin.
▪toss (also chuck ) informal to throw something, especially in a careless way without using much effort: She tossed her coat onto the bed. | Can you chuck me the remote control?
▪hurl to throw something with a lot of force: Someone hurled a brick through his window.
▪fling to angrily throw something somewhere with a lot of force, or to carelessly throw something somewhere because you have very little time: He flung her keys into the river. | I flung a few things into a suitcase.
▪heave /hiːv/ to throw something heavy using a lot of effort: They heaved the log into the river.
▪lob to throw something high into the air over someone or something: The police lobbed tear gas canisters over the heads of the demonstrators.
toss2 noun [countable]
1. the act of throwing a coin in the air to decide something, especially who will do something first in a game:
The toss of a coin decided who would go first.
win/lose the toss
Malory won the toss and will serve.
2. a sudden backwards movement of your head, so that your hair moves, often showing anger:
‘I’ll see,’ the nurse said, with an officious toss of her head.
3. a gentle throw
4. not give a toss British English spoken to not care about something at all:
I really couldn’t give a toss what Sam thinks.
⇨ argue the toss at argue(5)
| I |
verb Date: 1500-1600
Origin: Probably from a Scandinavian language
1. [transitive] to throw something, especially something light, with a quick gentle movement of your handOrigin: Probably from a Scandinavian language
toss something into/onto etc something
toss something aside/over etc
toss something to somebody
toss somebody something
2. [intransitive and transitive] to move about continuously in a violent or uncontrolled way, or to make something do this
toss something around/about
3. toss and turn to keep changing your position in bed because you cannot sleep:
4. [intransitive and transitive] (also toss up) especially British English to throw a coin in the air, so that a decision will be made according to the side that faces upwards when it comes down
SYN flip American English:
toss (somebody) for it
5. [transitive] to throw something up into the air and let it fall to the ground:
6. toss a pancake British English to throw a pancake upwards so that it turns over in the air and lands on the side that you want to cook
SYN flip American English
7. [transitive] to move pieces of food about in a small amount of liquid so that they become covered with the liquid:
8. toss your head/hair written to move your head or hair back suddenly, often with a shaking movement showing anger:
toss off phrasal verb
1. toss something ↔ off to produce something quickly and without much effort:
2. toss something ↔ off written to drink something quickly:
3. toss (somebody) off British English informal not polite to masturbate
toss something/somebody ↔ out phrasal verb American English informal
1. to get rid of something that you do not want
SYN throw out:
2. to make someone leave a place, especially because of bad behaviour
SYN throw out
toss something/somebody ↔ out of
| THESAURUS |
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| II |
noun [countable]1. the act of throwing a coin in the air to decide something, especially who will do something first in a game:
win/lose the toss
2. a sudden backwards movement of your head, so that your hair moves, often showing anger:
3. a gentle throw
4. not give a toss British English spoken to not care about something at all:
⇨ argue the toss at argue(5)