to throw in the towel

Examples

• All

• Our tendency is that if we mess up, we want to throw in the towel.

  Blog text (6)

• 'Cause if we're not, I will throw in the towel.

  Warrior (2011)

• But if we all kind of throw in the towel, then, then, then we're giving up without a fight.

  Shawn Ryan Show

• Yes, it must be hard to know when it's time to throw in the towel.

  Gosford Park (2001)

• If I can still do what nobody else can, why should I throw in the towel?

  Fiction book (1998)

• I was about to throw in the towel.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Before we give up, before we throw in the towel, let's meet with a third party to get perspective.

• Sometimes things do look very bleak, but it's too soon to throw in the towel.

  Blog text (4)

• That's right, I'm going to throw in the towel.

  A Few Best Men (2011)

• After months of struggling, I finally decided to throw in the towel and change my approach.

Synonyms

G

to give up

vsto throw in the towel

∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

is used when stopping happens after realizing success is impossible

G

to give it up

vsto throw in the towel

683 3.7

To stop doing something you once did

specifies stopping due to realizing failure rather than simple cessation

Q

to quit

vsto throw in the towel

653 1.5

To stop trying when something is too hard

implies stopping because one realizes success cannot be achieved

G

to give in

vsto throw in the towel

220 3.0

To stop resisting and agree to what others want

involves stopping because one sees no chance to succeed rather than yielding to pressure

D

to drop out

vsto throw in the towel

214 3.0

To leave a course, competition or group before finishing

refers to leaving early rather than stopping from realizing one cannot succeed

C

to concede

vsto throw in the towel

49 4.9

To accept that you have lost a contest or election

expresses stopping after realizing failure rather than only admitting loss

C

to call it quits

vsto throw in the towel

• Informal

34 3.9

To stop doing something because you cannot continue or feel you have done enough

occurs when stopping follows realizing one cannot succeed not merely feeling finished

T

to throw in

vsto throw in the towel

• Informal

29 4.9

Stop trying because you cannot win

stops because they realize they cannot succeed any longer

F

to fall by the wayside

vsto throw in the towel

• Informal

11 6.5

Stop taking part or trying because of problems

tends to imply passive failure rather than a deliberate admission of defeat

W

to wave the white flag

vsto throw in the towel

• Informal

4 4.0

To stop trying and accept that you lost

is used when stopping follows realizing one cannot succeed rather than public surrender

S

to say uncle

vsto throw in the towel

• Informal

2 8.9

To give up because of pressure or pain

stops after realizing failure rather than surrendering only from pressure

C

to cry uncle

vsto throw in the towel

• Informal

1 8.8

To admit you give up when someone pressures you

happens when someone stops because they realize they cannot succeed, not only from pressure

D

to drop by the wayside

vsto throw in the towel

• Informal

1 7.5

Stop taking part because it becomes too difficult

usually describes falling behind rather than deciding to stop from realizing failure

C

to chuck up the sponge

vsto throw in the towel

• UK

9.9

To stop trying because it seems pointless

focuses on personal realization of inability to succeed rather than futility of effort

J

to jack it

vsto throw in the towel

• Slang

9.9

To stop doing something suddenly because you are frustrated

is stopping after recognizing failure rather than sudden abandonment from frustration

Antonyms

P

to persist

62 3.7

To keep doing something or keep holding a belief despite difficulty

How Defeated

surrender

77 4.2

to throw in the towel

• Informal

27 4.8

to give up

∞ 1.2

to bow out

20 4.9

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology