throw in the towel

Meaning of the phrase:

Origin of the phrase:

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready for a linguistic showdown between two heavyweight idioms! In one corner, we have the experienced phrase “throw up the sponge,” dating back to the mid-1800s. In the other corner, we have the younger challenger “throw in the towel,” born in the late 1800s. Both phrases originated from the world of boxing and have a history of ending matches, but only one can emerge as the champion of idioms. Who will take home the title? Let’s get ready to rumble!!

Let’s delve into the origins of these idioms. Both “throw up the sponge” and “throw in the towel” were derived from a literal action taken during a boxing match. In the late 19th century, when a coach wanted to signal surrender or stop a fight to prevent a fighter from taking too much damage and risking injury, they would toss a soaked sponge or towel into the ring. By the end of the century, both terms were in common use in boxing circles. But at the turn of the century one fell out of favor, and only one managed to survive long enough to win the figurative belt.

However, only one managed to survive long enough to win the figurative belt.

“Throw up the sponge” made its debut earlier than its opponent, “throw in the towel,” with a report in Bell’s Life in Sydney and Sporting Reviewer on Aug 19th, 1848. The report read:

Horridge threw up the sponge, and Caton was declared the victor after a contest of 59 minutes, leaving the ring without showing much punishment.

This phrase was a popular expression in the boxing world for many years, with coaches and fighters alike using it to indicate the end of a bout. However, as the sport progressed, a younger phrase began to emerge to challenge the reigning champion, “threw up the sponge,” and that phrase was “throw in the towel.”

“Throw in the towel” burst onto the scene like a juggernaut in the late 19th century, taking the boxing world by storm. The earliest example of its use in print comes from the Bendigo Advertiser printed Aug 16th in 1893:

Just before the gong sounded to close the second round, Simmons was knocked to the floor with great force, and was helped to his corner. By his directions, his seconds then ‘threw in the towel.’

Its meaning and usage were the same as “throw up the sponge.” When a fighter was clearly defeated and unable to continue, their coach would throw the towel into the ring as a sign of surrender.

So how did “throw in the towel” end up becoming the undisputed champion? How did it turn into figurative gold while the other a long forgotten has-been?

Maybe the sponge was past its prime, or maybe a towel was seen as more hygienic. Or perhaps “throw up the towel” just sounded… well, gross. Whatever the reason, when the dust settled and the ring was cleared, only one could inspire people to surrender with such linguistic charm, and that one was “throw in the towel.”

As the phrase continued to dominate the boxing world, it swiftly spread beyond the ring and into everyday language. “Throw in the towel” was used to describe giving up or surrendering in any situation. In fact, the earliest recorded use of the phrase outside of boxing dates back to August 30th, 1903, in the Sunday Times. The article reads:

Testotal Smith, our great Mayor, goes about looking much depressed since the poll, and is, I suspect, half inclined to throw in the towel.

Here, we see an example of the phrase being used to describe a political defeat. It’s no surprise that the phrase quickly gained popularity in all facets of life, as a way to describe giving up or surrendering in any circumstance.

And with that, our journey through the linguistic world of boxing idioms comes to a close. But don’t worry, there are plenty more linguistic battles to explore, so stay tuned for the next round. Until then, keep on fighting the good fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to enter the ring of language as we explore the fascinating origins and meaning of the phrase “throw in the towel.” While this phrase may be part of your everyday vocabulary, did you know that it has its roots in the world of boxing? In this article, we’ll discover how a simple piece of cloth became a symbol of surrender and explore the colorful history behind this popular idiom. So, put on your mouthguards and get ready to uncover the true story behind “throwing in the towel!”

The phrase “throw in the towel” originated during the late 19th century from the world of boxing. At the time, there was also a similar phrase, dating to the first half of the 19th century, called “throw up the sponge.” Both phrases were derived from a literal action taken during a boxing match. When a coach wanted to signal surrender or stop a fight to prevent a fighter from taking too much damage and risking injury, they would toss a soaked sponge or towel into the ring. This action was a clear indication that the fight was over, and the phrase “throw in the towel” and “throw up the sponge” became synonymous with surrender.