throw off

[/θroʊ ɔːf/]
phrasal verb
🇧🇷 se livrar de, descartar, confundir, despistar
1. to remove or get rid of something unwanted
She threw off her heavy coat when she got inside.
Ela se livrou do seu casaco pesado quando entrou.
2. to confuse or disturb someone's concentration or plans
The unexpected question threw off his entire presentation.
A pergunta inesperada o confundiu durante toda a apresentação.
3. to escape from or elude someone pursuing you
The suspect managed to throw off the police.
O suspeito conseguiu despistar a polícia.
4. to emit or produce something
The furnace throws off a lot of heat.
O forno emite muito calor.
💡 In American English, 'throw off' is commonly used in both casual and formal contexts to mean getting rid of something or confusing someone. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'se livrar de' is the most natural equivalent for physical removal, while 'confundir' or 'desconcertar' is preferred when discussing mental/emotional disruption. The phrase is frequently used in sports commentary and everyday conversation in both cultures.
🗽 NYC Slang
shake off, ditch
Synonyms / Sinônimos
sheddiscardremoveconfusedisconcerteludeshake offcast off
Antonyms / Antônimos
put onassumekeepmaintainfocus

Regional Variations

🇧🇷
General Brazilian
se livrar de, descartar
Most common usage for removing physical objects
🇧🇷
General Brazilian
confundir, desconcertar
Used when meaning to disturb someone's concentration
🏙️
São Paulo
despistar
Preferred when referring to eluding pursuers
🇵🇹
Portugal
desembaraçar-se de, livrar-se de
More formal variant used in European Portuguese

Related Words

cast offshake offget rid ofdisruptevade

Related Idioms & Phrases

throw off balance
throw off course
throw off the scent
throw off one's guard
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