throws in the towel
Admits total defeat
To throw in the towel is to admit defeat or give up on something, from the boxing practice of a trainer tossing a towel into the ring to stop a fight.
The phrase usually implies reluctant surrender after sustained effort: After six months of losses, the restaurant finally threw in the towel.
Often shortened to throw in the towel even when conjugated.
- quitsVoluntarily stops or departs
- discouragedHaving lost confidence or enthusiasm
- gives upCeases effort or resistance
- wave the white flagAcknowledge defeat formally
- white flagSignal of capitulation
raise the white flag · resigned · call it quits · call it a day · bow out · walk away · abandon · cry uncle · relinquish · withdraw · forfeit · defeated · admit defeat · give up the ghost · cash in your chips · demoralized · hopeless · capitulate
throws in the towelperseveres
Continues despite difficulty
keeps going · soldiers on · presses on · digs in · doubles down
throws in the towelwins
Achieved first places
triumphs · prevails · goes the distance · conquers · knocks out
throw, throws, thrown, throwing, thrower, throwers, towel, towels, toweling