throw hands

What it means

To fight someone physically — literally throwing punches. It's often used jokingly or as a hyperbolic threat, like saying you're so annoyed you might square up, without actually meaning it.

Examples

• Say that to my face and we're gonna throw hands.
• I'm ready to throw hands over the last slice of pizza.
• He really thought he could throw hands with a boxer.
• Keep talking and I'm finna throw hands, I swear.

Where it comes from

Rooted in AAVE, where 'hands' refers to fighting ability. It spread as casual, often comedic internet slang for fighting throughout the 2010s.

Related slang