sentences

Q 1. My best friend is now throwing shade at me. Wrong word.

Q 3. I think I'll pass up / on the concert. I'll give the concert the pass.
You won't go to the concert this time. Maybe next time.

Q 4. How will you explain them?
The results of the experiments are strange. How will you explain them?

1. How is "shade" the wrong word? "Throw shade" is a phrase meaning to publicly criticize, right? If I had to use the phrase "throw shade" in a sentence, how would I use it? Do we throw shade at someone? Or do we throw someone shade?

4. My question was - can "How will you explain them?" and "How will you explain to them?" mean the same? I know of the usage you gave in your example, I'm ju

Hi

'To throw shade at someone' is a phrase that's understood but not very widely

I liked it, but it's one of those phrases only used very informally, say, with friends

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=throw+shade

Dave

Thanks, Dave! I know the meaning of "throw shade." I just don't know what preposition to use after it. You used "on." But the link you gave has an example using the preposition "at" after the phrase. So, is the usage of both "at" and "on" correct?

Hi

I wrote 'on' completely by mistake and then had to change it (it's corrected on the post now)

I believe 'at' is right, in the way that you meant it

There are phrases where 'on' would work. 'He cast a shade on her' means 'He put her in his shadow'. But that's different and I got mixed up

Dave

Thanks a lot, Dave! And, can you also do me one more favour? Can "explain them" and "explain to them" mean the same thing? I know that depending on context, both can be correct, but can "explain them" mean the same as "explain to them" in any context?

Thanks!

vdb1. How is "shade" the wrong word?

I have never heard that expression personally. It is street language.

But I found a reference to whare it came from.
http://www.businessinsider.com/where-the-expression-throw-shade-comes-fr

Hi

I'm not sure I understand your question about 'explain'. It can be used with a direct object or indirect object:

- Your plans are good, but can you explain them?

- Shall we take your plans to the other members? Can you explain to them?

And it can be used as a rebuke:

- I asked for these plans two weeks ago. Explain?

Dave