throw up the sponge

English

Etymology

From a custom of the boxing ring, the person employed to sponge a pugilist between rounds throwing his sponge in the air in token of defeat.

Verb

throw up the sponge

  1. (archaic, slang) To give up a contest; to acknowledge defeat; throw in the towel.
    • Lowell
      He was too brave a man to throw up the sponge to fate.
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