Search results
- DictionaryThrow in the towel
- ▪ (of boxers or their seconds) throw a towel or sponge into the ring as a token of defeat
Powered by Oxford Languages
THROW IN THE TOWEL definition: 1. to stop trying to do something because you have realized that you cannot succeed: 2. to stop…. Learn more.
Jun 23, 2023 · In the face of overwhelming adversity or after a prolonged period of effort, one might " throw in the towel," indicating that they've reached their limit and are unable to proceed further. In short: "Throwing in the towel" means giving up or quitting after a struggle or effort.
What's the meaning of the phrase 'Throw in the towel'? To throw in the towel (or, to throw the towel in) is to give up, to avoid further punishment when facing certain defeat.
(informal) stop doing something because you know that you cannot succeed; admit defeat: It’s a bit early to throw in the towel — you’ve only just started the job. This idiom comes from boxing: throwing in the towel or sponge is a sign that a fighter accepts defeat.
1. : an act or instance of throwing a ball in: such as. a. : a throw made from the touchline in soccer to put the ball back in play after it has gone into touch. b. : a throw from an outfielder to the infield in baseball. c. : an inbounds pass in basketball. 2. : something added as a bonus or supplement. throw in. 2 of 2. verb.
Definitions of throw in the towel. verb. give up in the face of defeat of lacking hope; admit defeat. synonyms: chuck up the sponge, drop by the wayside, drop out, fall by the wayside, give up, quit, throw in. see more.
a. (in boxing) to concede defeat by the throwing of a towel (or sponge) into the ring by a second. b. to give in and accept defeat; discontinue a venture. See full dictionary entry for throw in.
throw in the towel to stop trying to do something because you do not think you can succeed : Their candidate should just throw in the towel and admit defeat .
throw in the towel To quit in defeat. The phrase comes from boxing, in which a fighter indicates surrender by throwing a towel into the ring: “After losing the election, he threw in the towel on his political career.”
If you throw in the towel, you stop trying to do something because you realize that you cannot succeed. [ informal ] It seemed as if the police had thrown in the towel and were abandoning the investigation.
