throw back
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: slam back
Sense 1
Meaning · English
To hinder the development of something.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
To revert to an earlier stage of development.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 3
Meaning · English
To retort.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “throw back” mean?
To hinder the development of something.
Is “throw back” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.