throw in the towel

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throw in the towel

to admit defeat or failure. The union was forced to throw in the towel and settle their bitter dispute with the company.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of throwing a towel into the ring in boxing (= signaling that a fighter can no longer continue by throwing a towel into the area where the fight takes place)

See also: throw, towel

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? References in classic literature
Kelly and others near to the ring began to cry out to the police to stop it, though Danny's corner refused to throw in the towel. The Night-Born by London, Jack View in context More results

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throw good money after bad
throw hat in the ring
throw in
throw in at the deep end
throw in hand
throw in lot with
throw in the sponge/towel

throw in the towel
throw into
throw into the pot
throw money around
throw money at
throw off
throw off balance
throw off the scent

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