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Meaning of throw up the sponge | Babel Free

Verb CEFR C2

Definitions

To give up a contest; to acknowledge defeat; to throw in the towel.

archaic, idiomatic, intransitive, slang

Examples

But he was too brave a man to throw up the sponge to fate, and had work to do yet.”
“At a time when official railway operators throw up the sponge for much less reason, it seems that only voluntary enthusiasm would ever contemplate the task at all.”

CEFR level

C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
See all C2 English words →

See also

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