throw up (one's) hands in despair

throw up (one's) hands in despair

To indicate one's unwilling and despairing submission to or acceptance of something. We threw up our hands in despair after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. All you can do is throw your arms up in despair at the way the government is being run these days.
See also: despair, hand, throw, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

throw up your hands/arms in deˈspair, ˈhorror, etc.

(often humorous) show that you disagree strongly with something, or are very worried about something: When she said she wanted to get a motorbike, her parents threw up their hands in horror.
See also: arm, hand, throw, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • throw up your hands/arms in despair, horror, etc.
  • throw up (one's) hands in frustration
  • throw up (one's) hands in horror
  • throw (one's) hands up in despair
  • throw (one's) arms up in despair
  • raise the white flag
  • shut down emotionally
  • right guy
  • write of
  • write of (someone or something)