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Phrase(s): throw one’s hands up (in despair)
1. Lit. to make a gesture of throwing up one’s hands indicating futility, despair, finality, etc. • He threw his hands up in despair and walked away. • She threw up her hands and fled. 2. Fig. to give up in despair. • John threw his hands up in despair because they wouldn’t let him see his brother in the hospital. • Don’t give up! Don’t just throw up your hands!
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs