throw in the sponge

Idioms  

1. Also, throw in the towel. Give up, acknowledge defeat, as in I can't move this rock; I'm throwing in the sponge, or Bill decided to throw in the towel and resign from his job. This idiom comes from boxing, where formerly a fighter (or his second) conceded defeat by throwing the sponge or towel used to wipe his face into the ring. [c. 1900]

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Example Sentences

The stockholders, ready to throw in the sponge, voted to liquidate.

From Time Magazine Archive

Retired Escondido, Calif. Some men would have been ready to throw in the sponge.

From Time Magazine Archive

Ever since Depression II, Street sages have guessed at Pierce's losses, wondered when he would start dismantling offices or throw in the sponge.

From Time Magazine Archive

So why not throw in the sponge on Laetrile?

From Time Magazine Archive

The poor kid was hangin' on the ropes waitin' for somebody to throw in the sponge.

From Kid Scanlan by Witwer, H. C. (Harry Charles)

Related Words

• capitulate
• communicate
• concede
• give in
• give up
• grant
• hand over
• relinquish
• renounce
• sign over
• transfer
• waive