Music
throw down
What does throw down mean?
Playful slang for a workout session, framing it as an event to 'throw down.'
"Big leg throw down tonight — you in?"
Origin
Late-70s and 80s hip-hop slang meaning to perform or compete with everything you have, drawing on older Black American usage of 'throw down' for going all out.
Frequently asked questions
What does throw down mean in slang?
It means to perform or compete with maximum energy and skill, to give it everything you have in a battle or cipher.
Where did throw down come from?
From late-70s and 80s hip-hop, building on older Black American usage meaning to go all out or get serious.
Does throw down mean to fight?
It can, but in hip-hop it usually means to battle through performance, dance, or rhyme rather than physical fighting.
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