/tiˈɾaɾ la toˈaʝa/ lit. ‘to throw the towel’
Spanish idiom, everyday. To give up and admit defeat.
Draft Not yet checked by a native Spanish speaker.
How do people use Tirar la toalla
?
Everyday Spanish, fine in conversation, sport and the news. It’s usually in the past or as encouragement: “tiré la toalla”, “no tires la toalla”. “Arrojar la toalla” means the same and sounds a bit more formal.
Also said arrojar la toalla
Tirar la toalla
in real sentences
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No tires la toalla.
Don’t throw in the towel.
Tatoeba, sentence by marcelostockle, translation by CK, CC BY 2.0 FR
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Tiré la toalla.
I gave up.
Tatoeba, sentence by arh, translation by Amastan, CC BY 2.0 FR
Where does Tirar la toalla
come from?
English Wiktionary takes it from boxing, where a boxer’s corner throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight. Spanish shares the picture with English “throw in the towel” and French “jeter l’éponge”; no first Spanish date is recorded. The RAE lists it as “arrojar, o tirar, la toalla”.
Mistakes learners make with Tirar la toalla
Adding “en” because of the English “throw in”. “Tirar en la toalla” means nothing; Spanish just throws the towel.
Other Spanish idioms like Tirar la toalla
Spot a mistake in Tirar la toalla
?
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