Idiom
throw in the towel
Meanings
To give up or stop trying because you accept that you will not succeed.
To quit a difficult task, job, or plan after deciding it is no longer worth continuing.
Definition
To throw in the towel means to stop trying and admit defeat or give up on something.
If you throw in the towel, you decide to quit because you think you cannot succeed or you no longer want to continue. The idiom comes from boxing, where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight. In everyday English, it can refer to work, relationships, projects, or goals.
Examples
- After three failed attempts, he decided to throw in the towel.
- We’re not going to throw in the towel just because the first launch went badly.
- She wanted to throw in the towel, but her team encouraged her to keep going.
- If the repairs cost more than the car is worth, it may be time to throw in the towel.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (verb phrase)s
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share a quick update or confirm plans.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to tease someone or make fun of them in a not-too-serious way.
- drop the ball To drop the ball means to make a mistake or fail to do something important that you were responsibl…
- have a chinwag To have a chinwag means to have a friendly, informal chat with someone.
- face the music To accept and deal with the unpleasant consequences of your actions or a difficult situation.