ˌthrow ˈback on [transitive] usually passive [present tense I/you/we/they throw back on he/she/it throws back on present participle throwing back on past tense threw back on past participle thrown back on] phrasal verb
to force someone to use their own abilities, powers etc because there is nothing else to use
When the business failed he was thrown back on his own resources.
Thesaurus: to make someone behave in a particular waysynonym
Main entry: throw
Useful english dictionary. 2012.