toss

Universal Words verb, noun verb throw 1 to throw sth lightly or carelessly: [VN, +adv./prep.] I tossed the book aside and got up. * [VN+adv./prep., VNN] He tossed the ball to Anna. * He tossed Anna the ball. your head 2 [VN] to move your head suddenly upwards, especially to show that you are annoyed or impatient: She just tossed her head and walked off. side to side / up and down 3 to move or make sb/sth move from side to side or up and down: [V] Branches were tossing in the wind. * I couldn't sleep but kept tossing and turning in bed all night. * [VN] Our boat was being tossed by the huge waves. in cooking 4 [VN] to shake or turn food in order to cover it with oil, butter, etc: Drain the pasta and toss it in melted butter. * Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss well. 5 [VN] ~ a pancake (BrE) to throw a PANCAKE upwards so that it turns over in the air and you can fry the other side coin 6 ~ (sb) for sth (especially BrE) (BrE also toss up )for sth() to throw a coin in the air in order to decide sth, especially by guessing which side is facing upwards when it lands SYNFLIP: [VN] There's only one ticket left-I'll toss you for it. * Let's toss a coin. * [V] We tossed up to see who went first. * (figurative) He had to toss up between (= decide between) paying the rent or buying food. relatednounTOSS-UP PHRASALVERBS toss off