throws in the sponge
Admits total defeat
To throw in the sponge is to give up or admit defeat.
The phrase comes from boxing, where a fighter's corner would toss a sponge into the ring to stop the bout.
Now used for any surrender or concession: After months of failed negotiations, the company finally threw in the sponge.
Also *throw in the towel*.
- boxing matchScheduled combat between pugilists
- capitulateYield under pressure
- wave the white flagAcknowledge defeat formally
- raise the white flagSignal of surrender
- admit defeatAccept that you've lost
yield · back down · concede · relinquish · cut one's losses · cry uncle · succumb · despair · call it quits · drop out · weariness · resignation · fold · hang up one's boots · bow out · retreat · abandon · defeatism
throws in the spongeperseveres
Continues despite difficulty
keeps going · soldiers on · presses on · pushes through · digs in
throws in the spongestands one's ground
fights to the finish · comes out swinging · fights back · rallies · digs in one's heels
throw, throws, threw, thrown, throwing, thrower, throwers, in, sponge