throw in the towel
Meaning
To give up or admit defeat; to stop trying because you believe you can’t succeed.
Origin
From boxing: a trainer would throw a towel into the ring to signal surrender and stop the fight to protect the boxer.
Notes
Neutral to slightly negative: implies quitting after effort because success seems unlikely. Common in conversation and business contexts; can sound discouraging if aimed at someone.
Examples
-
After three failed prototypes, the team was ready to throw in the towel.
-
I wanted to throw in the towel during grad school, but my advisor encouraged me to keep going.
-
Don’t throw in the towel yet—we still have time to fix the bug.
-
He finally threw in the towel on trying to repair the old car.
-
If the negotiations stall again, the union may throw in the towel.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase with “the towel.” Usually used as a verb phrase: throw/threw/has thrown in the towel. Often followed by “on” + gerund/noun (e.g., throw in the towel on the project).
Synonyms
- give up
- quit
- admit defeat
- concede
- wave the white flag
- call it quits
Antonyms
- keep at it
- persevere
- stick with it
- keep trying
- hold out