Throw in the towel: The English We Speak

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!