# throw in the towel

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/throw-in-the-towel
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To quit; to give up.

## Examples

- 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.

## Origin

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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.