(12-15-2023, 05:45 PM)Krikor Wrote: I confess that I had already thrown in the towel. (I hope this expression makes some sense in the English language).
Yes It does and I think that expression is known in many languages as it (arguably) comes from boxing, a well known sport, if a corner throws in a towel into the ring it's to surrender.
Although in French, they use "Throwing the sponge" (jeter l’éponge), but does have the very same meaning -> surrender/stop/give up
Patrice