To give up or admit defeat, especially after a struggle or challenge.
When do you use "Throw in the towel"?
This phrase is appropriate in contexts where someone decides to stop trying after realizing that success is unlikely or when they admit they can no longer continue in a particular endeavor.
"Throw in the towel" Usage Examples
After failing the exam for the third time, she decided to throw in the towel and pursue a different career path.
Despite his best efforts, he finally threw in the towel on the project when the funding fell through.
The team was losing by a large margin, and the coach decided to throw in the towel and rest the players for the next game.
After trying to fix the car for hours, he threw in the towel and called a mechanic.
She felt overwhelmed by the workload and eventually threw in the towel, opting for a simpler lifestyle.
"Throw in the towel" Explained
The phrase 'throw in the towel' originates from boxing, where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight when they believe their fighter can no longer win. This act signifies surrender and recognition that continuing would be futile.