throw in the towel
To quit; to give up.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't throw in the towel now — you're so close!”
“I am tired of this difficult puzzle and want to throw in the towel.”
“She refuses to throw in the towel even though the race is very hard.”
“After losing three games in a row, the team was ready to throw in the towel.”
“If the business does not make a profit by December, the owners will likely throw in the towel and close the shop.”
“You should ask for help with your project instead of throwing in the towel when things get difficult.”
“Despite years of setbacks and dwindling savings, the inventor refused to throw in the towel until his design finally worked.”
The expression originates from the boxing ring, where a contestant's support staff would signal a forfeiture by casting a towel into the arena. This physical act indicated that the boxer was unable to continue and had surrendered the match to his opponent. Established as a standard gesture of concession within the sport, the phrase transitioned into general usage as a metaphor for admitting defeat.
- 01
lock someone up and throw away the key
To lock someone up in prison indefinitely.
- 02
stone's throw
A short distance, roughly equivalent to how far a person can throw a stone.
- 03
throw a bone to
To provide support or assistance to, especially in one particular way or to a limited extent; to make a concession to.
- 04
throw a fit
To become angry, enraged, or upset; to act or react with an outburst, as by shouting, swearing, etc.
- 05
throw a kiss
To kiss one's hand, then make a gesture as if one was throwing the kiss in a direction towards the recipient.
- 06
throw a monkey wrench in the works
Synonym of throw a spanner in the works.
- 07
throw a monkey wrench into the works
Synonym of throw a spanner into the works.
- 08
throw a spanner in the works
To introduce a problem, dilemma or obstacle, something unexpected or troublesome.
Last updated August 10, 2026