toss at (someone or something)
toss at (someone or something)
1. To throw someone or something lightly in the direction of someone or something else. A noun or pronoun is used between "toss" and "at." I asked for some money to buy lunch, and he just tossed a couple dollars at me. She tossed a pebble at his window to get his attention. The guard tossed the prisoner at the warden's feet.
2. To attempt to deal with some issue or situation by expending or utilizing a large amount of some resource, especially in a reckless, excessive, or wasteful manner. A noun or pronoun is used between "toss" and "at." The government thought they could just toss money at the healthcare problem to fix it, but any real solution will require a complete restructuring of the current system. After widespread outcry, the company began tossing workers at their customer support division to regain the public's favor.
3. To begin dealing with or working on some difficult or onerous task or undertaking with great energy, enthusiasm, or determination. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "toss" and "at." I tossed myself at the tricky math equation, determined not to let it stump me. We'll have to toss ourselves at this issue with everything we've got if we want the company to survive.
4. To attack someone with great energy, enthusiasm, and determination, especially when that person or group of people is particularly large, intimidating, powerful, or dangerous. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "toss" and "at." We tossed ourselves at the group of rioters in an attempt to break them up. The mythical hero drew his sword and tossed himself at the giant who had been terrorizing the region.
5. To vie for someone's attention or affection, especially in a romantic or sexual capacity. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "toss" and "at." I practically tossed myself at Jake during the party, but he was too dense to pick up on my signals. Groupies tossed themselves at the rock stars wherever they went.
See also: toss
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
toss something at someone or something
to throw something at someone or something. Jimmy tossed an apple at Sarah to see what she would do. John tossed a stone at the wall.
See also: toss
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- bear off from (someone or something)
- be/have done with somebody/something
- be in line with (someone or something)
- better of
- (someone or something) promises well
- begin with
- begin with (someone or something)
- bird has flown, the
- beware of
- beware of (someone or something)