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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

throw to the dogs en · VERB

Pronunciation

Meanings

  1. (idiomatic) To throw away as useless.
    • Throw physic to the dogs; I'll none of it. c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene iii]:
  2. (idiomatic) To remove or cast out someone or something from one's protection, such as into the streets.
  3. (idiomatic) To give up on something valuable.
    • Let's hope it will not throw "to the dogs" its new-found opportunity for winning back public favor and respect. 1945, Karl E. Ettinger, Public Relations Directory and Yearbook,, page 45:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
thrown to the dogs Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part lexicographic
threw to the dogs Tense=Past lexicographic
throws to the dogs Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres lexicographic
throwing to the dogs Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part lexicographic

Relateds

throw to the wolves · dog bone