词源趣谈 | throw in the towel/sponge 承认失败，认输

someone throws in the towel/sponge 指此人认输，放弃努力。比如：

• Sometimes a business that is up against it will have to throw in the towel.
  有时经济困难的行业不得不认输。

该表达的产生与拳击有关：当拳击手的助手把毛巾或纱布等丢入场内，则表示拳击手失去资格，放弃比赛，承认失败。