Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Cry uncle

   • ▪ surrender or admit defeat

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   Powered by Oxford Languages

2. People also ask

   When did cry uncle come out?

   • This phrase originated about 1900 as an imperative among school-children who would say, "Cry uncle when you've had enough (of a beating)." By the mid-1900s it was being used figuratively, as in the examples. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust.

   Cry uncle - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

   idioms.thefreedictionary.com/cry uncle

   See all results for this question

   What does Cry Uncle mean?

   • Concede defeat, as in The Serbs want the Bosnians to cry uncle , or If you say uncle right now, I'll let you go first in the next game . This phrase originated about 1900 as an imperative among school-children who would say, “Cry uncle when you've had enough (of a beating).” By the mid-1900s it was being used figuratively, as in the examples.

   CRY UNCLE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com/browse/cry--uncle

   See all results for this question

   Why do people cry for their uncle?

   • If that sounds unlikely, try a theory that William and Mary Morris turned up, that it goes back to a Latin expression used by Roman youngsters who got into trouble: patrue mi patruissime “uncle, my best of uncles”. It may be rather more probable that it’s a requirement that the person should cry for his uncle in order to be let free. But why uncle?

   World Wide Words: Say (or cry) uncle

   worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-say1.htm

   See all results for this question

   What does it mean if a child says 'Uncle'?

   • ( American English) admit that you have been beaten or defeated: They’re determined to make the President cry uncle in the budget debate. Originally, this comes from children’s games in which the child has to say the word ‘uncle’ to admit defeat. To indicate a willingness to give up a fight or surrender: tickled my brother until he cried uncle.

   Cry uncle - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

   idioms.thefreedictionary.com/cry uncle

   See all results for this question

3. www.tampabay.com › 2011/02/21 › origins-of-cry-uncleORIGINS OF 'CRY UNCLE' - Tampa Bay Times

   www.tampabay.com › 2011/02/21 › origins-of-cry-uncle

   • Cached

   Feb 21, 2011 · ORIGINS OF 'CRY UNCLE'. Published Feb. 21, 2011. Why is the wrestling term "cry uncle," and not aunt or anything else? There is no definitive history on the origin of the phrase, though there is ...

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › cry--uncleCRY UNCLE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › cry--uncle

   • Cached

   Cry uncle is an idiom that means to concede defeat or surrender, often used in a playful or mocking way. It originated as a schoolyard taunt and became popular in the mid-1900s.

5. idioms.thefreedictionary.com › cry+uncleCry uncle - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

   idioms.thefreedictionary.com › cry+uncle

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning and origin of the phrase \"cry uncle\", which means to admit defeat or plead for mercy in an informal contest. See examples, synonyms and related expressions from various sources.

6. worldwidewords.org › qa › qa-say1Say (or cry) uncle - World Wide Words

   worldwidewords.org › qa › qa-say1

   • Cached

   Nov 28, 1998 · Learn the origin and meaning of the idiom say (or cry) uncle, used by children to surrender or ask for mercy. Find out how it relates to an English joke and an Irish word.

7. en.wiktionary.org › wiki › cry_unclecry uncle - Wiktionary, the free dictionary

   en.wiktionary.org › wiki › cry_uncle

   • Cached

   Aug 31, 2023 · Learn the meaning, pronunciation and origin of the verb cry uncle, which means to beg for mercy or to give up. See synonyms and examples of usage in American English.

8. idioms.thefreedictionary.com › cries+uncleCries uncle - Idioms by The Free Dictionary

   idioms.thefreedictionary.com › cries+uncle

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning and origin of the phrase \"cries uncle\", which means to admit defeat or plead for mercy in an informal contest. See examples, synonyms and related expressions from various sources.

9. www.yourdictionary.com › cry-uncleCry-uncle Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › cry-uncle

   • Cached

   Cry-uncle is an American idiom that means to beg for mercy, to give up, or to ask to stop something painful or unbearable. Learn more about its origin, synonyms, and usage examples on YourDictionary.