phrasal verb🧩 phrasal verb

throw up

to vomit suddenly

What it means

To vomit, especially suddenly or because you feel ill. It is informal but very common in everyday speech, and is separable when used with an object (though it usually appears without one).

Examples

  • She felt dizzy on the boat and started to throw up over the side.
  • The baby threw up all over my shirt right after lunch.
  • He drank too much at the party and ended up throwing up.
  • I think I'm going to throw up if this taxi doesn't slow down.

Where it comes from

Recorded in English since at least the 1700s, combining 'throw' (to cast out) with 'up' to suggest forceful upward expulsion. It is informal; doctors and writers tend to prefer 'vomit' or 'be sick'.

Related phrasal verbs

#throw away#blow up#come down with#tear up

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