Definition
To chat idly.
To make false boastful claims.
To talk or write in an obscure and pretentious manner.
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see throw, the, bull.
In Context
- ""Hello, Steve. Don't let me interrupt your business conference." ¶ "You're not. We were just throwing the bull. The boys are worrying about what will happen to the book business when we get in the war. Paper restrictions and the usual trade dung.""
- ""Sam, I'd love to throw the bull with you, but it's getting late. I'd better hit that diner.""
- "Estimate the percentage of your time you spent goofing off: reading nonwork material, throwing the bull with co-workers, taking long lunch hours, flirting, etc."
- "I lit a cigarette when we stopped outside the front doors. We threw the bull with the other cops before heading back."
- ""I'm glad you look at it that way. I don't want you to think I'm just throwing the bull.""
- "He was urging, "I'm cured. I saw tonight that I can't act at all. I'm just a hick. I want all you guys to forgive me for having thrown the bull about my Hollywood place — I got it, all right, but I don't believe it any more. Eva, dear, will you move over and let me sit down beside you?""
- ""You mean in two weeks you're going to kill yourself?" Hayes blurted. ¶ "Yes, Hayes-san." He threw up his arms. "It's crap, it's all crap, you understand?" ¶ "Yes. Crap-crap," Yuriko said. ¶ "You're throwing the bull, Yuriko.""
- "You're not throwing pianos, you're throwing the bull, but how far will you throw your wife, that's the point. To the wolves?"
- "I was about to write a simple theme about this dumb question when I remembered that my literary friends were always "throwing the bull"—building up their sentences to sound complex and sophisticated."
- "Once my college roommate told me I'm a tough friend to have because I'm so frank and open. Too true, I guess. I just say it like it is and don't even know how to throw the bull."
- "Like other readers, they enjoy good reading and delight in lively, neatly phrased ideas. They abhor empty platitudes and know in an instant when a writer is "throwing the bull." Pretentiousness turns them off completely."