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.