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Hi,

The clue I'm stuck on is 23 Across:

'One concedes it's thrown in? (6)'

The answer, apparently, is Sponge.

Sadly, cannot fathom how on earth I get this answer from the clue...so I turn to you for help...has anyone got any ideas???

Thanks

It might be just a (rather feeble) cryptic definition - to "throw in the sponge" is much the same as to "throw in the towel" - i.e. to concede. Pretty poor, though!

btw could you explain your handle? I'm an ex-chemist too!

Brewer's says that 'throw in the sponge' is from boxing matches - the second (boxer's assistant, the one literally in his corner) would concede defeat by throwing in the sponge (which he had for wiping the boxer).

Hi both,
Thank you very much for your responses. Whilst I knew one could throw in the towel, throwing in the sponge is not something I've heard of before! So, thank you for adding to my knowledge - and for the interesting information on where both phrases come from :-)

As for my handle...I am studying for a chemistry PhD: but, because my research is computational, and can thus be done from virtually anywhere, I am rarely found in the department, choosing to work elsewhere. I thus conside myself to be an elusive chemist!!