Meaning of throw the bull | Babel Free

Definitions

1. To chat idly.
   dated, idiomatic, intransitive
2. To make false boastful claims.
   dated, idiomatic, intransitive
3. To talk or write in an obscure and pretentious manner.
   dated, idiomatic, intransitive
4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see throw, the, bull.
   dated, idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

“"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.”

CEFR level