throw (one's) hands up in despair

throw (one's) hands up in despair

1. To make a gesture physically indicating one's despair and disbelief (about something.) We threw our hands up in despair after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. The computer crashed for the third time that day, and I threw my hands up in despair.
2. To express or indicate that one gives up or submits to futility or failure. (Not necessarily done by literally putting one's hands in the air.) The student threw his hands up in despair, claiming that the math problems were impossible to solve. Don't just throw your hands up in despair—keep trying.
See also: despair, hand, throw, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • throw (one's) arms up in despair
  • throw (one's) hands up in frustration
  • throw (one's) arms up in frustration
  • frustration
  • throw up (one's) hands in despair
  • throw up your hands/arms in despair, horror, etc.
  • right guy
  • rearrange (one's) face
  • rearrange someone's face
  • write of (someone or something)