stop trying

Throw the towel

Stop trying is a dismissive command telling someone their efforts are futile or embarrassing.

It suggests the person should give up because they're failing badly or making a fool of themselves: Just stop trying, you're never going to beat me at this game.

The phrase can be encouraging when paired with advice—Stop trying so hard and let it come naturally—but alone it usually signals contempt or exasperation.

Related

resign · abandon · throw in the towel · wave white flag · defeat · exhaustion · futile · hopeless · dead end · discouraged · burnout · let go · accept · release · walk away · move on · enough · done

Categories
Opposites
effort persistence

stop tryingkeep trying

Continue making attempts

persevere · persist · keep at it · don't give up · carry on

determination/resolve

stop tryingnever give up

Maintain effort indefinitely

fight on · stand firm · hold fast · dig in · double down

initiation of effort

stop tryingmake an effort

Attempt with intention

give it a shot · have a go · attempt · undertake · engage

Family

stop, trying, stops, stopped, stopping, stopper, stoppage, unstoppable, nonstop

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G