throw for a loop

English

Verb

throw for a loop (third-person singular simple present throws for a loop, present participle throwing for a loop, simple past threw for a loop, past participle thrown for a loop)

1. Synonym of knock for a loop.

   really threw me for a loop;   threw us all for a loop

   • 1997 March, Ron Loutherback, “Beyond the Label: The ABCs of white wine”, in Orange Coast, volume 23, number 3, page 168:

     He thought he was up-to-date on all the latest wine lingo until a longtime wine writer returned his sample request card with a bold, hand-written note on it that stated, “Send me all samples—ABC!”
     “ABC” threw my friend for a loop. When he called me, I translated the cryptic phrase—ABC is winespeak for “Anything But Chardonnay.”