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Meaning of throw up one's hands | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

To raise both hands in the air in an exasperated manner.
intransitive
To cease an attempt because it is perceived as doomed.
idiomatic, intransitive

Examples

“I see it warn't a bit of use to try to go ahead—I'd got to throw up my hands.”

“I wanted to throw up my hands and say, "Thanks. See ya." But I couldn't walk away.”

“So to us, the question isn't just "Does Vista suck?" but "Does Vista suck enough that businesses of any size should simply throw up their hands and migrate over to something else?"”

CEFR level

C2

Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.

See also

throw up the sponge throw wobblies throwe throwed throwest throweth