Throw in the towel means to give up, admit defeat and stop trying. The image comes from boxing: a towel thrown into the ring means the fighter is stopping the fight. People say it about a long struggle with studies, work, repairs or a difficult project.
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throw in the towel; throw the towel in; throw in the towel on + noun/-ing
- After six months of failed job interviews, Tom nearly threw in the towel.
- The project was hard, but our team refused to throw in the towel.
- I almost threw in the towel during my first marathon, but I finished it.
What changed
First versionAfter three failed attempts, he threw the towel and left the course.
RevisionAfter three failed attempts, he threw in the towel and left the course.
Without in, it just means “threw the towel”, a physical action rather than an idiom. To say you're giving up, English uses throw in the towel or throw the towel in, and in is needed in both versions. Only in was added.
Give up is the neutral way to say “stop” or “quit”, including habits: I gave up smoking. Throw in the towel is more vivid and usually describes a struggle that has gone on for a long time. Give in is different: it means to yield to someone else's pressure: The kids kept asking, and I finally gave in.
Your turn
After two years of trying to start a café, Max ___ and went back to his old job.
Show the answer
threw in the towel — Two years of trying and a return to his old job mean that Max gave up: threw in the towel. Without in, the idiom disappears, and threw the towel means he simply threw a towel.
Write about something you almost gave up on. Say what it was and what helped you keep going.
I almost threw in the towel on learning Korean, but a patient teacher helped me keep going.
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