throw in the towel

To quit in defeat. The phrase comes from boxing, in which a fighter indicates surrender by throwing a towel into the ring: “After losing the election, he threw in the towel on his political career.”

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Example Sentences

“But once I basically threw in the towel and said, ‘Hey, this isn’t gonna work,’ I was able to sit back and try to enjoy it.

But Wilder turns 39 in October and throwing in the towel is a strong possibility.

From BBC

He would reach the 12th round and remained in the fight but his corner threw in the towel inside the final minute.

From BBC

Now the waiting game commences for when - and how - she will throw in the towel.

From BBC

A particularly thorough drubbing on Tuesday may accelerate those plans or even lead her to throw in the towel that evening.

From BBC

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