Throw in the towel

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2018-11-19

Summary 

Neil claims he has too much washing to do so why does he want to wash just a towel? Or could this just be another confusing English expression? Luckily Neil and Feifei are here to explain what 'throw in the towel' really means.

Transcript

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!