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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Throw in the towel

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

To give up or admit defeat.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. After several failed attempts, she finally threw in the towel and hired a professional.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

To give up or admit defeat.
Show the answer

Throw in the towel — To give up or admit defeat.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Throw in the towel” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

To give up or admit defeat.

Compare: After several failed attempts, she finally threw in the towel and hired a professional.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

How to use this expression

The idiom means deciding to stop trying, often after difficulties. It is informal and can sound more dramatic than “stop” or “change plans”. The verb changes with tense: throw, threw, thrown.

More examples

I nearly threw in the towel, but one more attempt solved the puzzle.

They have not thrown in the towel on the restoration project.

Check your understanding

Complete the past tense: “After ten attempts, he ___ in the towel.”

Answer: Threw. The sentence describes giving up, not throwing an actual towel.

A pause or a decision to stop?

After several unsuccessful attempts at a puzzle, Dev says, “I’m throwing in the towel. Show me the answer.” Ana says, “I’m taking a break, then trying again.”

Think it through: Which person has given up on solving it independently?

Check the explanation

Dev. Ana’s break includes an intention to return. “Throw in the towel” describes giving up or admitting defeat; it is stronger than pausing. In this context, “Dev threw in the towel” reports his decision afterwards.

Your turn: Write one sentence contrasting a temporary break with throwing in the towel.

Compare expressions: Work, study and your limits

Working late, taking on too much and giving up describe different stages of a difficult task. Choose the expression that explains what the person actually does.

Try the situation question and check your answer →

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