tirar la toalla

What does “tirar la toalla” mean in English?

1. to throw in the towel, to give up

   to throw in the towel, to give up (boxing origin; after sustained failed effort, not casual quitting)

Example sentences

• Después de cinco años intentando que la iniciativa prosperara, decidieron tirar la toalla.

  After five years trying to get the initiative off the ground, they decided to throw in the towel.

• Nunca tires la toalla antes de intentarlo al menos una vez más.

  Never throw in the towel before trying at least one more time.

• El equipo estaba a punto de tirar la toalla cuando llegaron los nuevos datos.

  The team was on the verge of giving up when the new data arrived.

How to use it

Tirar la toalla (literally 'to throw in the towel') is a borrowing from boxing that means 'to give up', 'to throw in the towel'. It implies abandoning an effort after sustained struggle, not a casual decision. Construction: tirar la toalla (intransitive). Unlike rendirse (to surrender, more neutral or military), tirar la toalla implies resignation after genuine effort. The moment of giving up is often after a series of failed attempts.