◙ verb 1. [with obj. and adverbial of direction] throw (something) somewhere lightly, easily, or casually • 轻轻地（或随意地）扔，抛，掷 »Suzy tossed her bag on to the sofa. 苏济把她的包往沙发上一抛。 »[with two objs] she tossed me a box of matches. 她扔给我一盒火柴。 [with obj.] (of a horse) throw (a rider) off its back • （马）摔下（骑手） [with obj.] throw (a coin) into the air in order to make a decision between two alternatives, based on which side of the coin faces uppermost when it lands • （为作决定而）掷（硬币） »we could just toss a coin. 我们可掷硬币来做决定。 »[no obj.] he tossed up between courgettes and tomatoes and courgettes won. 他掷硬币以决定是选西葫芦，还是西红柿，结果选的是西葫芦。 [with obj.] settle a matter with (someone) by doing this • 以掷硬币（与某人）解决某事 »I'll toss you for it. 我会和你掷硬币决定。 move or cause to move from side to side or back and forth • （使）摇摆，颠簸 »[no obj.] the tops of the olive trees swayed and tossed. 橄榄树梢摇曳着。 »[with obj.] the yachts were tossed around like toys in the harbour. 港口里的游艇像玩具一样摇来晃去。 »[as adj., in combination -tossed] a storm-tossed sea. 波涛汹涌的大海。 [with obj.] jerk (one's head or hair) sharply backwards • 猛地（把头，头发）往后一甩 [with obj.] shake or turn (food) in a liquid, so as to coat it lightly • 在液体中搅拌（食物） »toss the pasta in the sauce. 在沙司里拌意大利面食。 2. [with obj.] [N. Amer. informal] search (a place) • [北美，非正式] 搜（某地） ◙ noun 1. an action or instance of tossing something • 扔，掷，抛 »a defiant toss of her head. 她那表示轻蔑的一甩头。 »the toss of a coin. 掷硬币。 (the toss)the action of tossing a coin as a method of deciding which team has the right to make a particular decision at the beginning of a game • （比赛开始时参赛方为作决定而）掷硬币 »Somerset won the toss and chose to bat. 萨姆塞特掷硬币获胜并选择了击球。
【IDIOMS】
◘ give (或 care) a toss 1. [usu. with negative] [Brit. informal] care at all • [英，非正式] 在乎 »I don't give a toss what you think. 我不在乎你怎么想。 ◘ take a toss 1. fall off a horse • 摔下马 ◘ toss one's cookies 1. [N. Amer. informal] vomit • [北美，非正式] 呕吐 ◘ tossing the caber --› seecaber ◘ toss a pancake 1. turn a pancake by flipping it into the air so that it lands in the pan on its opposite side • 抛煎饼（将平底锅中煎饼往空中一抛，使其翻面落回锅中）
【语源】
1. early 16th cent.: of unknown origin
【PHR V】
◘ toss oneself/someone off( or toss off) 1. [Brit. vulgar slang] masturbate • [英，粗俚] 手淫 ◘ toss something off 1. drink something rapidly or all at once • 一饮而尽 2. produce something rapidly or without thought or effort • （不假思索或不费力地）迅速完成 »some of the best letters are tossed off in a burst of inspiration. 有些书信佳作就是在灵感的触动下一挥而就的。