throw up one's hands

Verb

intransitive idiomatic

Japanese Meaning

困難や絶望感に直面したとき、両手を挙げてあきらめる行動。 / 意欲や努力を放棄し、試みを終えること。

When the instructions contradict each other, one can only throw up one's hands and walk away.

指示が互いに矛盾しているときは、ただあきれて両手を挙げて立ち去るしかない。

Sense（1）

(intransitive) To raise both hands in the air in an exasperated manner.

Sense（2）

(intransitive, idiomatic) To cease an attempt because it is perceived as doomed.

I see it warn't a bit of use to try to go ahead—I'd got to throw up my hands.

1987 Scholastic Paperbacks ed., →ISBN, page 283

throws up one's hands

（ present singular third-person ）

throwing up one's hands

（ participle present ）

threw up one's hands

（ past ）

thrown up one's hands

（ participle past ）