chuck up the sponge verb1 •(old-fashioned) To quit; to give up; to admit defeat.For my part, I think the best thing to do is to chuck up the sponge at once; the company is practically bankrupt now, and the longer we waits the worser it will be. — 1962 formschucked up the sponge · chucking up the sponge · chucks up the sponge
