throw in the sponge

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throw in the sponge/towel (informal)

to stop trying to do something because you know that you cannot succeed

Usage notes: If a boxer (= man who fights as a sport) throws a towel into the ring, he is showing that the other boxer has won.

Three of the original five candidates have now thrown in the towel.

See also: sponge, throw

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``Nationally, we have chosen to throw in the sponge because the forces of law and order . Streets out of police control by Daily Post (Liverpool, England) If there's an office dishwasher, throw in the sponge each time someone runs a load. CREEPY CRITTERS CAN PERCOLATE IN COFFEE MUGS by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA) Faced with a reenactment of such a costly and lengthy procedure, Whitehall-Robins chose to throw in the sponge. Sponge bath by Fumento, Michael / Reason			throw around throw aside throw at throw away throw away on throw back throw back at throw back in face throw back to throw caution to the wind throw cold water on Throw dirt enough, and some will stick throw down throw down the gauntlet throw for a loop throw for a loss throw good money after bad throw hands up throw hands up in horror throw hat in the ring throw in throw in at the deep end throw in face throw in hand throw in lot with throw in the sponge throw in the towel throw in with throw into throw into confusion throw into sharp relief throw into the bargain throw into the pot throw money around throw money at throw name around throw off throw off balance throw off the scent throw off the track throw on throw on mercy throw on the scrap heap throw oneself at throw oneself at feet throw oneself at the mercy of some authority throw oneself into throw open to throw out throw out of throw out on ear			throw for a loop throw for a loop throw for a loss throw good money after bad throw hand throw hand throw hand throw hand throw hands up throw hands up in horror throw hat in the ring throw hat in the ring throw hat in the ring throw hat into the ring throw hat into the ring throw headlong throw in throw in throw in throw in throw in throw in at the deep end throw in face throw in hand throw in lot throw in lot throw in lot throw in lot throw in lot throw in lot with throw in the sponge throw in the towel throw in the towel throw in the towel throw in the towel throw in the towel throw in to include throw in with throw insults throw into throw into throw into throw into throw into throw into a tizz throw into a tizzy throw into confusion throw into confusion throw into disorder throw into prison throw into sharp relief throw into the bargain throw into the pot throw into the scale throw into the scale throw into the scale throw into the scale throw into the scale Throw lathe throw light on throw light on

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