throw in the towel

== English == === Etymology === From the traditional signal from a boxer's support staff of throwing such an item into a boxing ring to indicate that the contestant cannot continue the match and is forfeiting to the opponent. === Pronunciation === === Verb === throw in the towel (third-person singular simple present throws in the towel, present participle throwing in the towel, simple past threw in the towel, past participle thrown in the towel) (idiomatic) To quit; to give up. ==== Synonyms ==== throw in the cards throw in the sponge throw up one's hands throw up the sponge ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== throw to the dogs throw to the wolves