Das Handtuch werfen
Example: Man sollte das Handtuch nicht zu früh werfen, auch bei Rückschlägen.
Definition
"Das Handtuch werfen" is a German expression meaning to give up or surrender, especially in difficult situations. It is often used metaphorically to describe someone who stops trying or admits defeat prematurely, as in the phrase 'Man sollte das Handtuch nicht zu früh werfen, auch bei Rückschlägen.'
Etymology
The phrase "das Handtuch werfen" literally translates to 'throw the towel' and originates from boxing, where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to signal surrender and stop the fight. Over time, it became a common idiom in German for giving up in any challenging circumstance.
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"Das Handtuch werfen" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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throw in the towel