underthrow

English

Etymology

From Middle English underthrowen, equivalent to under- +‎ throw.

Pronunciation

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Verb

underthrow (third-person singular simple present underthrows, present participle underthrowing, simple past underthrew, past participle underthrown)

1. To throw a pass that falls short of the receiver. (May take either the thrown pass or the receiver as its direct object.)
   • 1960 December 27, Joseph M. Sheehan, “Eagles Win, 17-13, To Take Pro Title”, in The New York Times‎^[1]:

     The underthrown pass was knocked down.

   • 2008 December 26, Joshua Robinson, “Jets Say Third Down Is Their Priority”, in The New York Times‎^[2]:

     During the Jets’ recent 1-3 slide, Favre has repeatedly missed and underthrown receivers on his way to a single touchdown pass and six interceptions.

Related terms

• overthrow