Throw Away, Throw Out, Dispose Of, Get Rid Of, Discard or Dump?

Hello and welcome to Fransy Fancy English. These are all common in day-to-day conversations when we come across unwanted things. But how do they differ? Let's find out!

THROW SOMETHING AWAY (phrasal verb) Informal

THROW AWAY SOMETHING

THROW SOMETHING OUT (phrasal verb) Informal

THROW OUT SOMETHING

When it comes to physical objects, "throw away" and "throw out" both mean that the object is going into the rubbish bin, trash can, dustbin or that the object is being removed from a place. When you throw something through the air (which is not a good thing to do), use "throw out".

"Why do people throw empty cigarette packs out of the car window without thinking about the consequences of their actions?"

"Throw out/away that old sofa."

"It's a crime to throw away/out all the food you prepared."

"Throw away/out any eggs with cracked shells."

THROW AWAY

Non-physical objects or ideas are throw away and not out. People throw away opportunities, relationships, careers, dreams...

                      "This could be the best opportunity you'll ever have to talk to her. Don't throw it away!"

"She threw away his dream to live abroad."

"He smokes and does drugs. He is throwing his life away."

"By working so hard all the time you're throwing away your youth."

DISPOSE OF SB/STH  (phrasal verb) Formal

Bear in mind that if you don't include the preposition "of" when you use dispose, you'll mean something else. Dispose is also a verb (it doesn't take a preposition in this case) which means to arrange in a particular order or to make someone receptive to something.

"His temperament disposed him to argue."

When you dispose of something, you throw it into the bin. This phrasal verb is more polite and formal than throw away and throw out.

"Don't dispose of your gadgets and electronic devices in the trash. Recycle them."

"She tried to dispose of the incriminating evidence."

"Batteries and pesticides can contain hazardous ingredients and require special care when you dispose of them."

GET RID OF SB/STH (idiom)

As already mentioned, "dispose of" is formal. This means that you should opt for something different with a similar meaning in casual conversations and "get rid of" may be exactly what you need.

You need to keep in mind that when you dispose of something, you kiss it goodbye. It's not in your house, office or room anymore. On the flip side, if you had got rid of that object or person of course, you wouldn't still have them around somewhere, not to mention hidden! One thing is certain, you got rid of it and you're relieved! Phew!

"Now let's get rid of that lad."

"Hold your breath for a short time to get rid of hiccups." (Please, don't hold your breath for too long. I need you alive.)

"They opened the windows the get rid of weed smell."

"It's time we got rid of this junk."

DISCARD STH (verb) Formal

If you had something useless and you "got rid of" it or "discarded" it, then this useless item would probably be in a dumpster or landfill by now or it would be offered to a friend. (Wait, who gives useless presents to friends 😅 ?) 

"Discard" is formal and rarely used in everyday language. I mostly notice it when I work on my laptop or when I play video games. In such a case, you close a window without saving a document you were working on or you discard recent changes to free up space maybe.

When you play card games and you discard a card, you get rid of it because you don't want it.

"He discarded a five and picked up a Queen."

"I discarded an old coat and an old pair of gloves."

"23 per cent of the data was discarded as unreliable."

DUMP STH ON/IN/INTO STH ELSE  (verb)

The verb "dump" is usually followed by a preposition. To dump is to get rid of something but in the wrong place or in a careless manner. If you dump your ex, you rid yourself of another lover. You end the romantic relationship. 

"Two factories dump their waste in this river." (The river is the WRONG PLACE to dump waste.)

"Toxic chemicals are dumped in the North Sea."

"She dumped her bag on the floor." (carelessly)

"He dumped her an hour before the wedding."

Am I missing something here? Let me know in the comments!

If you want to sound and speak like a native, then my book might be for you! Hope this helps!