Thrown-off

The adjective 'thrown-off' describes a state of being confused, disconcerted, or made uncertain, often due to unexpected circumstances or a sudden change. It implies a temporary disruption of one's composure, focus, or plan. This can result from an unexpected question, a challenging situation, or a misleading piece of information. The feeling is typically one of being unsettled or slightly disoriented, leading to a hesitancy or shift in behavior. It may also express the act of having something that was supposed to have worked, not working, which may be due to being poorly made.

Thrown-off meaning with examples

• The sudden power outage *threw* the students *off*, disrupting their study session and leaving them scrambling for flashlights. They were initially unsure how to proceed.
• The unexpected interruption *threw* her *off* during her speech. She paused, gathered her thoughts, and continued, but her delivery was less smooth.
• The trick question *threw* me *off*, and I answered incorrectly because the wording led me down the wrong path.
• The poorly calibrated instrument *threw* the experiment *off*, resulting in inaccurate data and requiring a complete re-calibration.
• Hearing the news *threw* him *off*, and he struggled to maintain his usual level of confidence during the meeting, and he was unsure what to do.