toss in the sponge

noun

1. any of a phylum (Porifera) of simple, aquatic, sessile animals having a porous structure and a tough, often siliceous or calcareous, skeleton
2. the elastic skeleton, or a piece of the skeleton, of certain sponges, light in weight and highly absorbent, used for washing surfaces, in bathing, etc.
3. any substance like this; specif.,
   1. a piece of spongy plastic, cellulose, rubber, etc., used like natural sponge
   2. a pad of gauze or cotton, as used in surgery
   3. a light dessert made of whipped gelatin and beaten egg whites or whipped cream
   4. raised dough, as for bread
   5. any of several metals, as platinum, found in a porous mass
4. 1. a person having a spongelike capacity, as for drink, knowledge, etc.
   2. Informal sponger (sense )

transitive verb sponged, sponging

1. to use a sponge on so as to dampen, wipe clean, etc.
2. to remove or obliterate with or as with a damp sponge: usually with out, off, away, etc.
3. to absorb with, as with, or like a sponge: often with up
4. Informal to get without cost, as by begging, imposition, etc.

intransitive verb

1. to gather sponges from the sea
2. to take up liquid like a sponge
3. Informal to be a sponger (sense ): often with off or on