throw in the towel

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throw in the towel and throw in the sponge; toss in the sponge

Fig. (From boxing, where this is done by a boxer's trainer to stop the fight.) to signal that one is going to quit; to quit. When John could stand no more of Mary's bad temper, he threw in the towel and left. Don't give up now! It's too soon to throw in the sponge.

See also: throw, towel

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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			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 out the baby with the bath water			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 sponge throw in the sponge throw in the sponge throw in the sponge 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 throw light on throw light on throw light on throw light on something throw light upon

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