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to throw down
01
(of a DJ or rapper) to perform a piece of music with energy and skill
Grammatical Information
Composition
phrasal
Action verb
Regular
Separable
Particle
down
Base verb
throw
Present tense
throw down
3rd person singular
throws down
Present participle
throwing down
Past simple
threw down
Past participle
thrown down
Examples
The DJ decided to throw down some classic tunes for the party.
02
to fight or stand up to someone in a confrontation
Slang
What does "to throw down" mean in street slang?
The structure combines "throw" (to initiate or deliver) with "down" (indicating action or commitment), forming a phrasal verb that signals readiness for conflict. It is used to describe fighting or standing up to someone in a confrontation, often by accepting a challenge or making the first move in a physical altercation. People typically say "throw down" when daring someone to fight, such as "You want to go? Let's throw down right now."
Examples
If you keep talking, we 're gon na throw down.
