throw shade

Meaning

To 'throw shade' means to publicly but subtly express disapproval, contempt, or insult toward someone. It is often done through passive-aggressive comments, clever sarcasm, or even a dirty look rather than a direct, aggressive argument. It originated in Black and Latino LGBTQ+ drag culture before becoming mainstream.

Examples

• She was throwing shade at her coworker during the meeting by questioning his credentials.

  She was throwing shade at her coworker during the meeting by questioning his credentials.

• There's no need to throw shade just because you're jealous of his success.

  There's no need to throw shade just because you're jealous of his success.

• I love how she throws shade so politely that people don't even realize they've been insulted.

  I love how she throws shade so politely that people don't even realize they've been insulted.

• The singer's new track seems to throw shade at her famous ex-boyfriend.

  The singer's new track seems to throw shade at her famous ex-boyfriend.

• He threw some serious shade at the restaurant on social media without actually naming it.

  He threw some serious shade at the restaurant on social media without actually naming it.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She threw a shade to me.

  ✓ She threw shade at me.

  'Shade' is uncountable here, so do not use 'a'. Also, the preposition directed at the person is 'at', not 'to'.

• ✗ Don't make shade on your friends.

  ✓ Don't throw shade at your friends.

  The verb is always 'throw', not 'make' or 'give'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I can't tell if she was paying me a compliment or trying to ___.

  💡 Subtly insult or criticize someone

  Show answer

  throw shade

• Why are you ___ at him just because he got the promotion?

  💡 Continuous form of the verb meaning to subtly criticize

  Show answer

  throwing shade