throw in the sponge

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Related Words

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