To throw in the towel In english explanation

The meaning, explanation, definition and origin of the idiom/phrase "to throw in the towel", English Idiom Dictionary ( also found in Vietnamese )

author Kathy Cao calendar 2022-09-13 04:09

Meaning of To throw in the towel

Synonyms:

toss in the sponge , Wave the white flag , toss/chuck in the sponge , abandon a struggle , admit defeat

To throw in the towel American informal

Verbs such as chuck and toss are sometimes used instead of throw. When we are brave enough to accept the fact that we chucked/ tossed in the towel and started again, we will become stronger than ever. You can use someone throws in the sponge as well. Hang in there! it's too soon to throw in the sponge.

To give up on some endeavor; to quit or abandon something; to admit defeat or failure

David  was told by his trainer that he was going to throw in the towel if he did not start to throw punches.

I was so sick up of my manager that I threw in the towel and quit my job.

Our team fought till the very end, but the opposition was just too good; we had to throw in the towel.

Other phrases about:

go down swinging/fighting
to fight until the very end
Fall Flat

 a joke, idea, or suggestion falls flat, meaning that it does not achieve the intended effect.

Hit the Skids

To begin to decline or deteriorate decline; to get worse very quickly

kiss the dust

1. To die or pass away

2. To fall down after being hit

3. To lose or be conquered

lose (one's) edge

To lose the skill or advantage one used to have in the past

Grammar and Usage of To throw in the towel

Verb Forms

  • to throw in the towel
  • threw in the towel
  • throwing in the towel
  • throws in the towel
  • thrown in the towel

The verb "throw" should be conjugated according to its tense.

 

Origin of To throw in the towel

When you throw in the towel that mean you give up and lose the match (Image Source: Internet)

This idiom derives from the earliest days of boxing, when fighters fought bare-knuckled, without gloves. A sponge was used to mop away sweat or blood from the boxer’s face. When it seemed defeat was certain or a fighter was so bloodied he could not continue to fight, his manager or trainer would throw the often bloody sponge into the ring to signal that he wanted to concede defeat and stop the fight. Later, when towels came to be used, the towels would be thrown into the ring for the same purpose. This idiom is still used in boxing, although referees are in charge of stopping fights to protect boxers who are at risk of permanent injury. The expression has long since passed into general usage. The sponge version is archaic and never heard today. 

The Origin Cited: writingexplained.org .
error

Report Error

Do you see anything wrong?

Share your idioms

If you are really thankful, what do you do? You share.

Submit An Idiom

Make a Donation!

Help us update and complete more idioms

Donate

TODAY
more holes than Swiss cheese

Something has too many defects, problems or flaws.

Example:

Your essay has more holes than Swiss cheese. 

Join the Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest updates!

Darkmode