[throw] in the towel
1
to accept the fact that one has been defeated
The idiom "throw in the towel" has its origins in the sport of boxing, where a fighter's coach or trainer would literally throw a towel into the boxing ring to signal their fighter's defeat and surrender, thereby ending the match. This practice usage back to the early 20th century. In a broader context, the phrase is now used figuratively to mean giving up or admitting defeat in the face of a challenging or difficult situation.
- Jim beat me for the fourth time, so I threw in the towel.
- After hours of trying to fix the broken computer, he finally decided to throw in the towel and call a professional.
- The team faced numerous obstacles during the project, but they were determined not to throw in the towel.
- She was determined to complete the marathon despite the pain, refusing to throw in the towel until she crossed the finish line.
- When the negotiations reached an impasse, both parties agreed to throw in the towel and consider alternative solutions.