What Does Each One Mean?
Both phrasal verbs can mean get rid of something you do not want. You can often use either one for old things.
I will throw away the old pen.
I will throw out the old pen.
But each one has extra jobs.
- Throw away also means to waste a chance.
- Throw out also means to make someone leave a place, or to offer an idea for people to talk about.
She threw away her chance to win by going home early.
The café threw out the noisy visitors.
He threw out a good idea at the meeting.
🗣️ Natural Examples
Both can mean get rid of:
Please throw away the empty box.
Mum threw out the old shoes.
Only throw away means waste a chance:
Don't throw away this chance to practise.
Only throw out means send away or offer:
The library threw out the people who were shouting.
Can I throw out an idea for the school play?
✂️ Can You Separate It?
Yes. Both are separable.
With a noun, both places are fine.
✅ Throw away the box.
✅ Throw the box away.
✅ Throw out the box.
✅ Throw the box out.
With it, him, her, them, the small word goes at the end.
✅ Throw it away.
✅ Throw them out.
❌ Throw away it.
❌ Throw out them.
🛠️ How to Use It
- Past tense: threw away and threw out. Past participle: thrown away and thrown out.
- Rubbish: both are fine. Throw away is the more common choice for rubbish and wrappers.
- People: use throw out only. The school threw out the noisy visitors. Never say throw away for a person.
- Chances: use throw away only. She threw away her chance.
- Ideas: use throw out. He threw out a few ideas means he offered them. Be careful: throw out a plan can also mean to reject it, so the sentence around it tells you which one is meant.
- Recycling tip: before you throw something away, ask if it can be reused or recycled.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
Put the pronoun in the middle.
❌ Please throw away it.
✅ Please throw it away.
Chances are thrown away, not thrown out.
❌ She threw out her chance.
✅ She threw away her chance.
People are thrown out, not thrown away.
❌ The shop threw away the noisy visitors.
✅ The shop threw out the noisy visitors.
💬 In a Conversation
Mia: Can I throw away this old drawing?
Dad: Don't throw it away. Put it on the fridge.
Mia: Can I throw out some ideas for our next one?
Dad: Yes, but don't throw out the pencils.
💡 The OddLingo Trick
Remember the direction.
- Away is like putting something far away from you. It goes with things, and with chances you lose.
- Out is like sending something out of a place. It goes with people leaving a room, or ideas coming out of your mouth.
👯 Similar Expressions
- Give Away: to give something for free. It is different from throwing it away, because someone else gets it.
- get rid of: a general way to say you no longer want something.
- chuck: informal, mostly British, for throw away.