Common Italian expression
| Pronunciation | |
| Literal translation | To toss the sponge |
| English translation | To throw in the towel |
| Meaning | To give up and admin defeat |
Examples
| Il meccanico gettò la spugna e portò l’auto a rottamare. | The mechanic threw in the towel and scrapped the car. |
| Luca non è il tipo da gettare la spugna. Non si arrende mai. | Luca is not the type to throw in the towel. He never gives up. |
Where does this idiom come from?
This idiom shares its origin with its English counterpart. During a boxing match, it’s customary for the trainer of a losing boxer to throw a towel (asciugamano) into the ring to concede defeat and prevent further injury. In the past, the towel was a sponge.
Related lessons
- gettare (to throw)
- spugna (sponge)
- definite articles
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