WordSmarts: Why Does "Throwing in the Towel" Signify Defeat?

 


Why Does “Throwing in the Towel” Signify Defeat?

Boxing gloves placed on top of a towel
Boxing is an edge-of-your-seat-exciting sport to watch, and some evocative turns of phrase have been pulled right from the ring. "Saved by the bell" is a last-minute reprieve, and "down for the count" is a creative way to depict hitting rock bottom. But do these phrases pack the same punch as "throwing in the towel"? The versatility of this phrase — a gesture that means "I'm done" or "I surrender" — has ensured its popularity for over a century.

Like many metaphors, "throwing in the towel" started out in a literal sense, though the action isn't as standard in boxing today. To avoid a severe pummeling, a boxer's coach can throw an actual towel into the ring, signaling to the referee their intention to forfeit. Per Olympic boxing rules, this action results in "abandonment," and the opponent is victorious. But how did the phrase rise to such power in the general public?

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