“Throw in the towel” is an idiomatic expression that means to give up, surrender, or admit defeat in a situation after realizing that further effort is futile. The phrase comes from the sport of boxing, where a trainer would throw a towel into the ring to signal that their fighter is unable to continue. Over time, it evolved to describe any situation in which someone quits or concedes failure. To throw in the towel signifies acknowledging that further attempts will not succeed, often accompanied by a sense of resignation or acceptance of defeat.
Sample Sentences:
- After hours of trying to fix the broken machine, he finally threw in the towel.
- They threw in the towel when they saw how much work was left to do on the project.
- She threw in the towel on the relationship after too many arguments and misunderstandings.
- Despite all their efforts, the team had to throw in the towel and forfeit the match.
- After failing the final exam for the third time, he threw in the towel and decided to change careers.
- When the company faced bankruptcy, the investors threw in the towel and withdrew their funding.
- He was frustrated and exhausted, but he refused to throw in the towel just yet.
- The startup founders threw in the towel after a series of unsuccessful product launches.
- The storm was too intense, and the crew had to throw in the towel and abandon the voyage.
- Realizing that the task was beyond their capabilities, they reluctantly threw in the towel.
Synonyms:
- Give up
- Quit
- Surrender
- Concede defeat
- Admit defeat
- Throw in the sponge
- Walk away
- Call it quits
- Wave the white flag
- Relinquish
Antonyms:
- Persist
- Continue
- Keep going
- Stay committed
- Push through
- Fight on
- Press on
- Stick it out
- Hang in there
Phrasal Verbs:
- Give up on (to stop trying or believing something will succeed)
- Call it quits (to stop trying or to quit something entirely)
- Walk away from (to leave something behind, usually due to frustration)
- Throw in the towel on (to give up on something specific)
- Give in to (to stop resisting, often after prolonged effort)
Idiomatic Expressions:
- Call it a day (to stop working or trying after a certain point)
- Wave the white flag (to surrender or admit defeat)
- Hit the wall (to reach a point where continuing is impossible)
- Burn out (to become exhausted from continuous effort and give up)
- Pack it in (to stop trying or to quit)
- Drop out (to abandon an activity or goal, especially midway)
- Reach the end of the line (to come to the point where further efforts are pointless)