throw in the towel (redirected from toss in the sponge)

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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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