English idiom

throw in the towel

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

To give up or admit defeat.

Why this phrase?

From boxing, where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight.

Example

“After months of failed attempts, they threw in the towel.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

go downhill

to become progressively worse in condition, quality, or performance

miss the boat

To lose a chance to do something by being too slow or late.

back to square one

to return to the beginning of a task after an attempt has failed

back to the drawing board

to start planning or designing again after an idea or attempt has failed

barking up the wrong tree

To pursue a mistaken or misguided line of thought or action.

below par

worse than the normal or expected standard

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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