towel (redirected from toweling)

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 someone or something down

to rub someone or something dry with a towel. The mother toweled her child down and dressed her in clean clothes. She toweled down the child gently. Towel down the dog. He's wet and shaking.

towel someone or something off

to dry someone or something with a towel. The young mother toweled the baby off with a soft, warm towel. She toweled off the baby.

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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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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