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"throwing X up" is different from "throwing up X", I think[0]. Compare "I was throwing my lunch up" vs "I was throwing up my lunch". A bit like "black" + "bird
by pluma 12y ago
"throwing X up" is different from "throwing up X", I think[0].
Compare "I was throwing my lunch up" vs "I was throwing up my lunch". A bit like "black" + "bird" (i.e. a bird with black feathers) vs "blackbird" (i.e. any subspecies of the genus Turdus or some icterid birds) -- "throwing" + "up" (i.e. throwing something in an upwards direction) vs "throwing up" (i.e. expunging the contents of your stomach).
[0]: see http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/throw+hands+up http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/throw+hands+up
- afandian 12y agoI would understand "I was throwing my lunch up" vs "I was throwing up my lunch" to be completely equivalent. I've never heard the form of words "to throw one's hands up", but it's obvious what it means. Therefore "throwing my hands up" and "throwing up my hands" make equal sense and are equally humorous. (Not that it matters, of course there's no real ambiguity here)