Throw in the towel

Feifei Hello, and welcome to The English We Speak. I’m Feifei.

Neil And I’m Neil. Hey, do you know what, Feifei? I’ve had enough!

Feifei You’ve had enough? Enough of what?

Neil Trying to do all my washing.

Feifei Really? Is it that hard?

Neil It is. I just can’t keep up with all the clothes I have to wash, dry and iron. It doesn’t matter how much washing I do, I keep running out of clean clothes.

Feifei Yes I can see! Haven’t you been wearing that shirt all week? So, what are you going to do?

Neil I don’t know. I think I’ll just throw in the towel .

Feifei Washing just one towel won’t help - you can’t wear that to work.

Neil That’s not what I meant. ‘To throw in the towel’ is a saying that means ‘to admit defeat’. The phrase comes from boxing. If a boxer is being hit too much, and is losing the fight, sometimes his coach will throw a towel into the boxing ring to signal the fight is over. He’s been defeated.

Feifei Got it! So, it means you’ve given up. You can’t do it. And for you, it means no clean clothes! Let’s hear some more examples of this phrase, shall we?

Examples I’ve tried my best but this job is just too hard - I’m afraid I’m going to have to throw in the towel and quit.

I know the race is tough, but don’t throw in the towel , keep going and you might actually win!

I’ve been trying to learn Korean for years but I’m not making any progress so I guess it’s time to throw in the towel .

Feifei This is The English We Speak, and Neil’s mentioned he’s ‘throwing in the towel’ which means he’s ‘admitting defeat’ - giving up on doing his washing. You can’t cope can you Neil?

Neil I have tried. There’s just too much to do.

Feifei Maybe you’ve got too many clothes. But if you’re not going to wash them, what are you going to wear?

Neil I’ve still got my nightclub gear I used to wear as a student - will that do?

Feifei I think you’d be better off just wearing a towel, Neil!

Neil Thanks for the fashion advice. I think my best option is just to take everything to the launderette.

Feifei Good idea. See you.

Neil Bye!