in the towel

USAGE SUMMARY

'in the towel' is correct and usable in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression used to describe giving up or conceding defeat in an argument, competition, endeavor, etc. For example: After months of trying to finish the project, she finally threw in the towel and accepted defeat.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Mr. Cameron threw in the towel.

The New York Times

Tempted to throw in the towel.

The New York Times

Should I throw in the towel?

The New York Times

Sluizer all but threw in the towel.

The Guardian - Film

I've known some throw in the towel.

The Guardian

It's time to throw in the towel.

The Guardian

Was he throwing in the towel?

The Guardian - Sport

Eventually, RBS threw in the towel.

The Guardian

Last week we threw in the towel.

The New York Times

Prosecutors threw in the towel in April.

The New York Times

Time to throw in the towel.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the towel" when you want to express a clear and decisive giving up, especially after a prolonged struggle or when facing significant obstacles. The phrase adds an element of resignation and finality.

Common error

Avoid using "in the towel" in highly formal or academic writing. While widely understood, it's an idiom best suited for neutral to informal contexts. Choose more direct and professional terms like "concede" or "terminate" in formal communications.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the towel" functions as an idiomatic expression, specifically used as part of the verb phrase "throw in the towel". It acts as a comprehensive way to express the act of surrendering or ceasing an effort, as corroborated by Ludwig's analysis of various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in the towel" is a widely recognized and frequently used idiom that signifies giving up or conceding defeat. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically sound and prevalent across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and business. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to informal communication and should be replaced with more direct terminology in formal writing. The phrase is often used to express a sense of resignation after a period of struggle. Alternatives include "give up", "concede defeat", and "quit", each with slight nuances in meaning. Originating from boxing, this idiom carries a strong visual image of surrender.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give up

Implies a cessation of effort, similar to giving "in the towel" but more general.

concede defeat

Formally acknowledges loss, similar to throwing "in the towel" in a competitive setting.

throw in the sponge

A variation of the original idiom, maintaining the imagery of surrender.

wave the white flag

Symbolizes surrender, akin to throwing "in the towel" by signaling defeat.

admit defeat

Acknowledges failure, conveying a sense of accepting loss like throwing "in the towel".

surrender

Formally yields to an opponent, mirroring the act of throwing "in the towel".

quit

Indicates stopping an activity, much like throwing "in the towel" represents giving up.

bow out

Suggests withdrawing from a situation, similar to the resignation implied by throwing "in the towel".

abandon hope

Implies a loss of optimism and a decision to cease trying, reflecting the sentiment of throwing "in the towel".

cease trying

Indicates stopping effort, sharing the concept of giving up as expressed by throwing "in the towel".

FAQs

What does it mean to throw "in the towel"?

Throwing "in the towel" means to give up, concede defeat, or stop trying, especially after a prolonged struggle. It implies acknowledging that success is no longer possible.

What can I say instead of throwing "in the towel"?

You can use alternatives like "give up", "concede defeat", or "quit" depending on the context.

Is throwing "in the towel" appropriate for formal writing?

While widely understood, throwing "in the towel" is generally more appropriate for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more direct and professional terms.

What is the origin of the expression "throw in the towel"?

The expression "throw in the towel" comes from boxing, where a boxer's corner man would throw a towel into the ring to signal that their fighter was unable to continue, thus ending the match.