ALL meanings of throw in the sponge
throw in the sponge
T t - noun throw in the sponge any aquatic, chiefly marine animal of the phylum Porifera, having a porous structure and usually a horny, siliceous or calcareous internal skeleton or framework, occurring in large, sessile colonies. 1
- noun throw in the sponge the light, yielding, porous, fibrous skeleton or framework of certain animals or colonies of this group, especially of the genera Spongia and Hippospongia, from which the living matter has been removed, characterized by readily absorbing water and becoming soft when wet while retaining toughness: used in bathing, in wiping or cleaning surfaces, etc. 1
- noun throw in the sponge any of various other similar substances, often porous rubber or cellulose, used for washing or cleaning. 1
- noun throw in the sponge sponge bath. 1
- noun throw in the sponge a person or thing that absorbs something freely: His mind is a sponge gathering historical data. 1
- noun throw in the sponge a person who persistently borrows from or lives at the expense of others; sponger; parasite. 1
- noun throw in the sponge Informal. a drunkard. 1
- noun throw in the sponge Metallurgy. a porous mass of metallic particles, as of platinum, obtained by the reduction of an oxide or purified compound at a temperature below the melting point. 1
- noun throw in the sponge Surgery. a sterile surgical dressing of absorbent material, usually cotton gauze, for wiping or absorbing pus, blood, or other fluids during a surgical operation. 1
- noun throw in the sponge Cookery. dough raised with yeast, especially before kneading, as for bread. a light, sweet pudding of a porous texture, made with gelatin, eggs, fruit juice or other flavoring material, etc. 1
- noun throw in the sponge a disposable piece of polyurethane foam impregnated with a spermicide for insertion into the vagina as a contraceptive. 1
- verb with object throw in the sponge to wipe or rub with or as with a wet sponge, as to moisten or clean. 1
- verb with object throw in the sponge to remove with or as with a wet sponge (usually followed by off, away, etc.). 1
- verb with object throw in the sponge to wipe out or efface with or as with a sponge (often followed by out). 1
- verb with object throw in the sponge to take up or absorb with or as with a sponge (often followed by up): to sponge up water. 1
- verb with object throw in the sponge to borrow, use, or obtain by imposing on another's good nature, friendship, hospitality, or the like: He sponged 40 bucks from his friend and went to the city. 1
- verb with object throw in the sponge Ceramics. to decorate (a ceramic object) by dabbing at it with a sponge soaked with color. 1
- verb without object throw in the sponge to take in or soak up liquid by absorption. 1
- verb without object throw in the sponge to gather sponges. 1
- verb without object throw in the sponge to live at the expense of others (often followed by on or off): He came back home and sponged off his family for a while. 1
- idioms throw in the sponge throw in the sponge, Informal. to concede defeat; yield; give up: The early election returns were heavily against him, but he wasn't ready to throw in the sponge. 1
- noun throw in the sponge to admit defeat; give up: from the practice by a boxer's second of throwing a sponge into the ring to concede defeat 0