throw up one's hands
Give up entirely
To throw up one's hands is to abandon effort or give up in frustration, as if physically surrendering: I've tried explaining it three times—I throw up my hands.
The gesture signals exasperation or acceptance that a situation is beyond one's control.
She threw up her hands and let the kids eat ice cream for dinner.
Stop attempting something
- capitulateYield under pressure
- yieldProduce or relinquish
- concedeAdmit something reluctantly
- resignVoluntarily leave office
quit · abandon · forfeit · admit defeat · wave the white flag · walk away · let go · accept
Displeasure from blocked efforts
- exasperatedIntensely irritated, patience gone
- fed upOut of patience
- irritatedSlightly angered or bothered
- annoyedMildly vexed
aggravated · impatient · vexed · at wit's end · defeated · hopeless · overwhelmed · disheartened
give up
Stop attempting something
- capitulateYield under pressure
- yieldProduce or relinquish
- concedeAdmit something reluctantly
resign · quit · abandon · forfeit · admit defeat · wave the white flag · walk away · let go · accept · acquiesce
frustration
Displeasure from blocked efforts
- exasperatedIntensely irritated, patience gone
- fed upOut of patience
- irritatedSlightly angered or bothered
annoyed · aggravated · impatient · vexed · at wit's end · defeated · hopeless · overwhelmed · disheartened · discouraged
throw up one's handspersevere
Continue despite obstacles
persist · soldier on · press on · keep trying · keep at it
throw up one's handstake charge
Begin leading a situation
take the bull by the horns · seize control · take matters into one's own hands · roll up one's sleeves · get a grip
throw, throws, thrown, throwing, thrower, ones, hand, hands, handed