In boxing, a sponge or towel used to wipe one’s face will be thrown into the ring by a boxer, their trainer, or their corner attendant to signify defeat and the end of the fight.
This behavior gave rise to the idiom Throw away the sponge (literally “throwing a sponge”) Italian, and Throw away towel/sponge in English. In both languages, it means admitting defeat, or giving up the fight.
admit defeat
admit defeat
My business is not going well at all. I’m ready to throw in the towel.
My business is not going well at all. I’m ready to throw in the towel.
In non-idiomatic Italian you will hear people using the verb give up (give up / surrender) and surrender (give up / concession).Another common idiomatic expression with the same meaning is give up (give up / surrender).
Athletes never give up.
Athletes never give up.
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