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.
2.
the light, yielding, porous, fibrous skeleton or framework of certain animals or colonies of this group, esp. 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.
3.
any of various other similar substances, often porous rubber or cellulose, used for washing or cleaning.
a person or thing that absorbs something freely: His mind is a sponge gathering historical data.
6.
a person who persistently borrows from or lives at the expense of others; sponger; parasite.
7.
Informal. a drunkard.
8.
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.
9.
Surgery. a sterile surgical dressing of absorbent material, usually cotton gauze, for wiping or absorbing pus, blood, or other fluids during a surgical operation.
10.
Cookery.
a.
dough raised with yeast, esp. before kneading, as for bread.
b.
a light, sweet pudding of a porous texture, made with gelatin, eggs, fruit juice or other flavoring material, etc.
11.
a disposable piece of polyurethane foam impregnated with a spermicide for insertion into the vagina as a contraceptive.
–verb (used with object)
12.
to wipe or rub with or as with a wet sponge, as to moisten or clean.
13.
to remove with or as with a wet sponge (usually fol. by off, away, etc.).
14.
to wipe out or efface with or as with a sponge (often fol. by out).
15.
to take up or absorb with or as with a sponge (often fol. by up): to sponge up water.
16.
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.
17.
Ceramics. to decorate (a ceramic object) by dabbing at it with a sponge soaked with color.
–verb (used without object)
18.
to take in or soak up liquid by absorption.
19.
to gather sponges.
20.
to live at the expense of others (often fol. by on or off): He came back home and sponged off his family for a while.
—Idiom
21.
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.
Origin: bef. 1000; (n.) ME, OE < L spongia,spongea < Gk spongi; (v.) ME spongen to clean with a sponge, deriv. of the n.
throw (thrō) v.
threw (thrōō), thrown (thrōn), throw·ing, throws
v.
tr.
To propel through the air with a motion of the hand or arm.
To discharge into the air by any means: a machine that throws tennis balls; ash that was thrown by an erupting volcano.
To hurl or fling with great force or speed: threw themselves on the food; jetsam that had been thrown up onto the shore.
To force (an opponent) to the ground or floor, as in wrestling or the martial arts.
To cause to fall off: The horse threw its rider.
To put (suddenly or forcefully) into a given condition, position, or activity: threw him into a fit of laughter; threw some supper together; threw her leg over the arm of the chair.
To devote, apply, or direct: threw all their resources into the new endeavor; threw the blame onto the others.
To roll (dice).
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
To discard or play (a card).
Informal To cause confusion or perplexity in; disconcert or nonplus: We didn't let our worries throw us.
To put on or off hastily or carelessly: throw on a jacket.
To put (suddenly or forcefully) into a given condition, position, or activity: threw him into a fit of laughter; threw some supper together; threw her leg over the arm of the chair.
To devote, apply, or direct: threw all their resources into the new endeavor; threw the blame onto the others.
To roll (dice).
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
To discard or play (a card).
To form on a potter's wheel: throw a vase.
To twist (fibers) into thread.
Games
To roll (dice).
To roll (a particular combination) with dice.
To discard or play (a card).
To send forth; project: She threw me a look of encouragement.
To cause (one's voice) to seem to come from a source other than oneself.
To cause to fall on or over something; cast: The rising sun threw shadows across the lawn. We threw sheets over the furniture before we painted the ceiling.
To bear (young). Used of cows or horses, for example.
To arrange or give (a party, for example).
To move (a lever or switch) in order to activate, deactivate, or control a device.
Informal To lose or give up (a contest, for example) purposely.
To abandon oneself to; have: heard the news and threw a fit.
To commit (oneself), especially for leniency or support: threw himself on the mercy of the court.
To deliver (a punch), as in boxing: threw a left hook.
v.
intr. To cast, fling, or hurl something. n.
The act or an instance of throwing.
The distance to which something is or can be thrown: a stone's throw away.
Games
A roll or cast of dice.
The combination of numbers so obtained.
A light coverlet, such as an afghan.
A scarf or shawl.
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
Informal A single chance, venture, or instance: "could afford up to forty-five bucks a throw to wax sentimental over their heritage"(John Simon).
Sports The act of throwing or a technique used to throw an opponent in wrestling or the martial arts.
A light coverlet, such as an afghan.
A scarf or shawl.
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
The radius of a circle described by a crank, cam, or similar machine part.
The maximum displacement of a machine part moved by another part, such as a crank or cam.
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
Geology The amount of vertical displacement of a fault.
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
To utter or perform in an offhand, seemingly careless way: The play's villain throws away the news that the house has burned down.
To hinder the progress of; check: The troops were thrown back.
To revert to an earlier type or stage in one's past.
To cause to depend; make reliant.
To insert or introduce into the course of something: threw in a few snide comments while they conversed.
To add (an extra thing or amount) with no additional charge.
To engage (a clutch, for example).
To cast out; rid oneself of: threw off all unpleasant memories.
To give off; emit: exhaust pipes throwing off fumes.
To distract, divert, or mislead: Crossing the stream, he threw the tracking dogs off. A wrong measurement threw her estimate off.
To do, finish, or accomplish in a casual or offhand way; toss off: threw off a quick response to the letter.
To give off; emit: searchlights throwing out powerful beams.
To reject or discard: The committee threw out her proposal.
To get rid of as useless: threw out the garbage.
Informal To offer, as a suggestion or plan: They sat around throwing out names of people they might want to invite to the party.
To force to leave a place or position, especially in an abrupt or unexpected manner: The convicted judge was thrown out of office. The headwaiter threw the disorderly guest out.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
Baseball To put out (a base runner) by throwing the ball to the player guarding the base to which the base runner is moving.
To overturn: threw the cart over.
To abandon: threw over her boyfriend of four years; threw over the company they themselves had founded.
To reject.
To vomit.
To abandon; relinquish. She threw up her campaign for mayor.
To construct hurriedly: shoddy houses that were thrown up in a few months.
To refer to something repeatedly: She threw up his past to him whenever they argued.
To project, play, or otherwise display (a slide, videotape, or other recorded image): threw the tape of vacation highlights up on the screen.
Phrasal Verb(s): throw away
To get rid of as useless: threw away yesterday's newspaper.
Games To discard: threw away two aces.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To fail to take advantage of: threw away a chance to make a fortune.
To waste or use in a foolish way: threw away her inheritance.
To utter or perform in an offhand, seemingly careless way: The play's villain throws away the news that the house has burned down.
throw back
To hinder the progress of; check: The troops were thrown back.
To revert to an earlier type or stage in one's past.
To cause to depend; make reliant.
throw in
To insert or introduce into the course of something: threw in a few snide comments while they conversed.
To add (an extra thing or amount) with no additional charge.
To engage (a clutch, for example).
throw off
To cast out; rid oneself of: threw off all unpleasant memories.
To give off; emit: exhaust pipes throwing off fumes.
To distract, divert, or mislead: Crossing the stream, he threw the tracking dogs off. A wrong measurement threw her estimate off.
To do, finish, or accomplish in a casual or offhand way; toss off: threw off a quick response to the letter.
throw openTo make more accessible, especially suddenly or dramatically: threw open the nomination. throw out
To give off; emit: searchlights throwing out powerful beams.
To reject or discard: The committee threw out her proposal.
To get rid of as useless: threw out the garbage.
Informal To offer, as a suggestion or plan: They sat around throwing out names of people they might want to invite to the party.
To force to leave a place or position, especially in an abrupt or unexpected manner: The convicted judge was thrown out of office. The headwaiter threw the disorderly guest out.
To disengage (a clutch, for example).
To put out of alignment: threw my back out.
Baseball To put out (a base runner) by throwing the ball to the player guarding the base to which the base runner is moving.
throw over
To overturn: threw the cart over.
To abandon: threw over her boyfriend of four years; threw over the company they themselves had founded.
To reject.
throw up
To vomit.
To abandon; relinquish. She threw up her campaign for mayor.
To construct hurriedly: shoddy houses that were thrown up in a few months.
To refer to something repeatedly: She threw up his past to him whenever they argued.
To project, play, or otherwise display (a slide, videotape, or other recorded image): threw the tape of vacation highlights up on the screen.
Idiom(s):
throw cold water onTo express misgivings about or disapproval of; discourage.
Idiom(s):
throw in the towel/spongeTo admit defeat; give up.
Idiom(s):
throw oneself atTo make efforts to attract the interest or affection of (another).
Idiom(s):
throw (one's) weight around Slang To use power or authority, especially in an excessive or heavy-handed way.
Idiom(s):
throw the baby out with the bath water Slang To discard something valuable along with something not desired, usually unintentionally.
Idiom(s):
throw up (one's) handsTo indicate or express utter hopelessness: He threw up his hands and abandoned the argument.
[Middle English throwen, to turn, twist, hurl, from Old English thrāwan; see terə-1 in Indo-European roots.] throw'er n.
Synonyms: These verbs mean to propel something through the air with a motion of the hand or arm. Throw is the least specific: throwing a ball; threw the life preserver to the struggling swimmer. Cast usually refers to throwing something light: cast her fishing line into the stream. Hurl and fling mean to throw with great force: "Him the Almighty Power/Hurl'd headlong flaming from th' Ethereal Sky" (John Milton). He flung the tarpaulin over the boat. Pitch often means to throw with careful aim: "a special basket in my study . . . into which I pitch letters, circulars, pamphlets and so forth" (H.G. Wells). Toss usually means to throw lightly or casually: "Campton tossed the card away" (Edith Wharton). See Also Synonyms at confuse.
in. to drink heavily. : She was sponging like there was no tomorrow.
n. a drunkard; a tippler. (See also blotter.) : She was a spunge, and she wasn't going to do anything about it.
n. a parasitic person. : Here comes that sponge, Willy. Hide your wallet, pencils, glasses, and any clothes in his size.
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
throw in the towel
and throw in the sponge; toss in the sponge
tv. to quit; to give up. (From boxing, where a towel or sponge thrown into the ring indicates that a boxer has given up.) : The candidate who was exposed by the press as a former pickpocket tossed in the sponge in a tearful press conference. , I'm done! I'm tossing in the sponge!
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition. Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History
sponge (v.)
1392, "to soak up with a sponge," from sponge (n.). The slang sense of "to live in a parasitic manner" is attested from 1673; sponger (n.) in this sense is from 1677. Originally it was the victim who was known as the sponge (1602), since he or she was being "squeezed."
Main Entry: 2sponge Function: transitive verb Inflected Forms: sponged; spong·ing : to cleanse, wipe, or moisten with or as if with asponge <sponge the patient's back>
Any of numerous aquatic, chiefly marine invertebrate animals of the phylum Porifera. Sponges characteristically have a porous skeleton, usually containing an intricate system of canals, that is composed of fibrous material or siliceous or calcareous spicules. Water passing through the pores brings food to the organism. Sponges live in all depths of the sea, are sessile, and often form irregularly shaped colonies attached to an underwater surface. Sponges are considered the most primitive members of the animal kingdom, since they lack a nervous system and differentiated body tissues or organs. Adults do not have moving parts, but the larvae are free-swimming. Sponges have great regenerative capacities, with some species able to regenerate a complete adult organism from fragments as small as a single cell. Sponges first appear during the early Cambrian Period and may have evolved from protozoa. Also called poriferan. See Note at regeneration.
The light, fibrous, flexible, absorbent skeleton of certain of these organisms, used for bathing, cleaning, and other purposes.
A piece of porous plastic, rubber, cellulose, or other material, similar in absorbency to this skeleton and used for the same purposes.
Also, throw in the towel. Give up, acknowledge defeat, as in I can't move this rock; I'm throwing in the sponge, or Bill decided to throw in the towel and resign from his job. This idiom comes from boxing, where formerly a fighter (or his second) conceded defeat by throwing the sponge or towel used to wipe his face into the ring. [c. 1900]
[spuhnj] 
noun, verb, sponged, spong⋅ing.
; (v.) ME spongen to clean with a sponge, deriv. of the n.