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Glite Dictionary
to say uncle

to say uncle

2 8.9
To give up because of pressure or pain
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : rendirse
  • During their wrestling match, he knew it was time to say uncle when he couldn't escape the hold.

It's OK just to say uncle and move on.

Examples

Synonyms

to give in
vsto say uncle
220 3.0

To stop resisting and agree to what others want

focuses on yielding to pressure rather than formal loss acknowledgement
to concede
vsto say uncle
49 4.9

To accept that you have lost a contest or election

is more informal and often tied to pressure or physical coercion
to relent
vsto say uncle
31 5.8

To stop resisting and allow something to happen, like a person giving in or a storm easing

implies surrender to continued pressure rather than immediate admission of defeat
to throw in
vsto say uncle
  • Informal
29 4.9

Stop trying because you cannot win

is used for surrender under pressure rather than formal acceptance of loss
to throw in the towel
vsto say uncle
  • Informal
27 4.8

To stop trying because you know you cannot succeed

signals surrender to pressure or force rather than strategic concession
to capitulate
vsto say uncle
23 8.4

To stop fighting back and accept defeat or demands

is used for informal admission under pressure rather than formal settlement
to wave the white flag
vsto say uncle
  • Informal
4 4.0

To stop trying and accept that you lost

is a spoken admission to pressure or pain rather than a visible sign
to cry uncle
vsto say uncle
  • Informal
1 8.8

To admit you give up when someone pressures you

is used for surrender to persistent pressure rather than formal concession
to fold like a cheap suit
vsto say uncle
  • Informal
9.6

To give in easily when under pressure

is about forced surrender under repeated pressure not planned withdrawal
to chuck up the sponge
vsto say uncle
  • UK
9.9

To stop trying because it seems pointless

is about admitting defeat under pressure rather than negotiating terms

Antonyms

to resist
311 2.2

Act against authority, rules or change

to persist
62 3.7

To keep doing something or keep holding a belief despite difficulty

How Defeated

to surrender
722 4.4
to capitulate
23 8.4
to say uncle
  • Informal
2 8.9
to give in
220 3.0
to yield
81 4.3
to relent
31 5.8

Surface Forms

say uncle infinitive
saying uncle present participle
says uncle third person singular
said uncle past
said uncle past participle

Morphology

say + uncle

The meaning 'to admit defeat' cannot be derived from the literal constituents 'say' (to speak) and 'uncle' (a family member); there is no compositional or metaphorical link between saying a relative’s title and surrender. This is an idiomatic, culture-specific expression, so a B1 learner who knows the words but hasn't seen the phrase would not predict its meaning.

Etymology

The idiom say uncle comes from a common childhood scene: when a child was being tickled or pinned, they were told to say uncle to ask for mercy. That's why say uncle now means 'to admit defeat or surrender'.