What Does “Toss sth aside” Mean?
“Toss sth aside” means to throw something away carelessly or to reject an idea or feeling quickly.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “toss sth aside” is commonly used in both everyday and formal English. It combines the verb “toss,” meaning to throw lightly, with the phrase “aside,” which suggests putting something away or rejecting it. The toss sth aside meaning usually involves discarding objects or dismissing thoughts, emotions, or plans without much consideration. Understanding this phrase helps learners express actions where something is not treated seriously or is quickly abandoned.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: toss something aside
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Short meaning: To throw away or reject something carelessly
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Toss sth aside” is a separable phrasal verb. This means you can place the object between “toss” and “aside” or after the whole phrase.
- toss something aside (correct)
- toss aside something (also correct but less common)
Example patterns:
- She tossed the old papers aside.
- He tossed aside his doubts and moved forward.
How to Use Toss sth aside?
Use “toss sth aside” when you want to describe throwing away something physical or rejecting ideas, feelings, or responsibilities. It often implies carelessness or a quick decision. This phrasal verb fits well in casual, narrative, or descriptive contexts.
Examples
Imagine you are cleaning your desk and decide to get rid of old notes. You could say:
- She tossed aside the outdated documents without a second thought.
- After hearing the bad news, he tossed aside his worries and focused on the solution.
- They tossed aside the old rules to create a new system.
- Don’t toss aside your dreams just because of a few setbacks.
- He tossed aside the broken toy and bought a new one.
These examples show “toss sth aside in a sentence” used with both objects and abstract ideas.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes confuse “toss sth aside” with similar phrases or misuse the object placement.
- Incorrect: She tossed aside it.
Correct: She tossed it aside. - Incorrect: He tossed aside worries his.
Correct: He tossed aside his worries.
Remember to place the object correctly and use “aside” to show rejection or discarding.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “throw away,” “brush aside,” and “cast aside.” Each has subtle differences:
- Throw away: Usually means to discard something physically, often permanently.
- Brush aside: Often refers to ignoring or minimizing feelings or concerns.
- Cast aside: More formal, means to reject or abandon something or someone.
“Toss sth aside” suggests a lighter, less serious action than “throw away,” and is less formal than “cast aside.”
Common Collocations
We often use “toss sth aside” with objects or abstract nouns. Here are some common collocations:
- Toss aside doubts: to reject feelings of uncertainty.
- Toss aside papers/documents: to throw away old or unwanted papers.
- Toss aside worries/fears: to dismiss negative emotions.
- Toss aside rules/traditions: to ignore or abandon established customs.
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of toss sth aside:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “toss sth aside”:
Anna: I’m worried about the project deadline.
Ben: Don’t toss aside your concerns, but try to focus on what you can do now.
Anna: You’re right. I’ll toss aside my doubts and start working.
Practice
Complete the sentence with the correct form of “toss sth aside”:
- She ________ the old letters ________ without reading them.
- We should not ________ our responsibilities ________ so easily.
FAQ
Q: Can “toss aside” be used with feelings?
A: Yes, it is often used to describe rejecting or ignoring feelings or thoughts.
Q: Is “toss aside” formal or informal?
A: It is mostly informal but can be used in formal writing depending on the context.
Q: Can I use “toss aside” with any object?
A: It is best used with objects or abstract ideas you can discard or reject.
Q: What is the difference between “toss aside” and “throw away”?
A: “Throw away” focuses on physically discarding something, while “toss aside” can also mean rejecting ideas or feelings.
Q: Is “toss” separable in this phrasal verb?
A: Yes, you can place the object between “toss” and “aside” or after the phrase.
