With north winds, east drier? Give up! (5,2,3,5)
I believe the answer is:
throw in the towel
'give up' is the definition.
('throw in the towel' can be a synonym of 'give up')
'with north winds east drier?' is the wordplay.
'winds' indicates anagramming the letters.
'east' becomes 'e' ('E' can be a synonym of 'east').
'drier?' becomes 'towel' (I've seen this before**).
'with'+'north'='withnorth'
'withnorth' anagrammed gives 'throwinth'.
'throwinth'+'e'+'towel'='THROW IN THE TOWEL'
(Other definitions for throw in the towel that I've seen before include "Give oneself up" , "Cave in" , "admit defeat" , "Give up a venture" , "Make a concession" .)