Say Uncle, To
To concede defeat. Also put as cry uncle, it is the schoolyard equivalent of “say when you’ve had enough of this battle.” The term is an Americanism dating from about 1900, and its original meaning (if any) has been lost. It began to be used figuratively in the mid-twentieth century, as in Budd Schulberg’s What Makes Sammy Run? (1941): “Okay, I said, I’ll cry uncle.”
Similar Terms and Related Expressions
- Throw in the Towel: To give up or admit defeat, often used in a boxing context.
- Wave the White Flag: Another classic sign of surrender, often seen in warfare.
- Bite the Bullet: To endure a painful experience with bravery.
- Eat Crow: To admit one has been wrong and accept humiliation.
- Take a Loss: Simply to accept defeat or loss in a competition.
Synonyms
- Yield
- Capitulate
- Surrender
- Give Up
Antonyms
- Persist
- Endure
- Continue
- Resist
Humor-Filled Quotes 🃏
- “As a kid, you learn resilience through things like sayin’ ‘uncle.’ As an adult, you learn resilience through things like… bills and taxes.” - 🤯
Proverbs and Sayings
- “He who fights and runs away lives to fight another day.”
- “A quitter never wins and a winner never quits.”
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies
Literature 📚
- What Makes Sammy Run? by Budd Schulberg - Known for its gritty depiction of the American dream, and therein, its use of the idiom.
- The Bully Book by Eric Kahn Gale - A novel that examines the aggressor-victim relationship often forged in playgrounds.
Songs 🎶
- “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty - A defiant anthem about resisting defeat.
- “Hit Me with Your Best Shot” by Pat Benatar - All about taking life’s punches and coming back strong.
Movies 🎥
- The Karate Kid - Daniel-san learns resilience under Mr. Miyagi’s tutelage and never really says “uncle.”
- Cinderella Man - The true story of boxer James J. Braddock and his refusal to accept defeat.
Quizzes Time! 📝
### Which of these terms means to concede defeat?
- [x] Say uncle
- [ ] Laugh your head off
- [ ] Strike while the iron is hot
- [ ] Bite the hand that feeds you
> **Explanation:** "Say uncle" is the idiom used for conceding defeat, especially under pressure.
### Which phrase means the same as 'say uncle'?
- [x] Throw in the towel
- [ ] Burn the midnight oil
- [ ] Kick the bucket
- [ ] Hold your horses
> **Explanation:** "Throw in the towel" is often used to mean admitting defeat, much like "say uncle."
### True or False: 'Say uncle' originated in the United Kingdom.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** The idiom "say uncle" is an Americanism dating back to the early 1900s.
May these idioms, clichés, and expressions be your guide, unveiling the beauty of language in its most colorful forms.
Keep laughing and learning, because words have the power to both enlighten and entertain! 🌟📖
Adieu,
R.H. Ruminator
