throw in the towel

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throw in the towel

A boxer’s seconds throw a towel into the ring to signal that they want to stop the fight and save him further punishment.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Verb1.throw in the towel - give up in the face of defeat of lacking hope; admit defeat; "In the second round, the challenger gave up"
chuck up the sponge, drop by the wayside, drop out, fall by the wayside, throw in, give up, quit
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Translations
die Flinte ins Korn werfen
rendre les armes
bedobja a törülközõt
References in periodicals archive
MANAGER Paul McNally has promised to never throw in the towel at Skelmersdale United.
McNally will stick to task; sam.carroll@reachplc.com SAM CARROLL SCORES WITH THE LATEST NEWS FROM AROUND THE CLUBS SKEM UNITED
I thought they should throw in the towel. A lot of people wouldn't have taken this risk in their eighth fight."
HYDE EYE HORROR
Rather than throw in the towel, the Potters instead came up with the novel idea for the players who take the throws to wear a towel as part of their shirt.
Johnson ruffled by Boro towel routine
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