Throw in the towel
Definition
The idiom “throw in the towel” is a phrase that comes from the world of boxing. When a boxer is in a match and they feel like they can’t continue or have no chance of winning, they might throw their towel into the ring as a sign of giving up. In a broader sense, “throw in the towel” means to give up or surrender. It’s often used when someone is faced with a difficult situation or challenge and they decide to quit because they feel defeated or overwhelmed.
Example sentences
After struggling for months to fix his old car, he finally threw in the towel and decided to buy a new one.
Despite his best efforts, the tennis player had to throw in the towel when his opponent proved too skilled.
The team was losing by a large margin, so the coach made the tough decision to throw in the towel and concede the game.
After hours of trying to assemble the complicated furniture, she gave up and threw in the towel, opting to hire a professional.
The company faced numerous financial setbacks and had no choice but to throw in the towel and declare bankruptcy.