top of page
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Daily Pulse / 

Advanced

Materials /

Why Do We Say 'Throw in the Towel'? Unpacking Boxing Idioms!

30 May 2025

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

Direction:  Listen and repeat after your tutor

throw in the towel

/θroʊ ɪn ðə ˈtaʊəl/

To give up or admit defeat.

    The politician came out swinging in the debate.

come out swinging

/kʌm aʊt ˈswɪŋɪŋ/

To begin something aggressively or with determination.

    The politician came out swinging in the debate.

roll with the punches

/roʊl wɪð ðə ˈpʌn.tʃɪz/

To adapt to difficult situations.

    Life isn’t always fair; you have to learn to roll with the punches.

below the belt

/bɪˈloʊ ðə bɛlt/

Unfair or cruel behavior, especially in arguments.

    Bringing up his past mistakes was really below the belt.

Exercise 2

Pulse

Direction:  Read the pulse aloud or with your teacher. 

Why Do We Say 'Throw in the Towel'? Unpacking Boxing Idioms!


Boxing isn’t just a sport. It's also the source of many powerful English idioms that we use in everyday conversations. These expressions often describe how people handle challenges, conflict, or pressure, and they can add energy and emotion to your speech.


One common phrase is “throw in the towel,” which means to give up. In boxing, it literally refers to when a coach throws a towel into the ring to stop the fight. But in life, it’s used when someone admits defeat, like quitting a difficult job or project.


Another phrase is “come out swinging,” which means to start something with full energy or aggression. It’s often used to describe people who face problems head-on or make a strong first impression in a tough situation.


“Roll with the punches” is about staying flexible when life gets hard, just like a boxer moves with a punch to reduce its impact. It’s a great way to describe someone who handles setbacks calmly.


And then there’s “below the belt,” which refers to unfair or personal attacks, just like in boxing, where hitting below the belt is against the rules.


These idioms are vivid, expressive, and perfect for describing real-life challenges. Understanding them can help you sound more fluent and natural in conversations.

Exercise 3

Discussion 

Share your opinions with your tutor


    1. Have you ever “thrown in the towel” in real life? Why?


    2. In what situations should someone “come out swinging”?


    3. Can you give an example of how you “rolled with the punches” in a hard time?


    4. Why do you think boxing idioms are used to talk about life?


    5. Do you know any idioms from your language that use sports as metaphors?


    6. How do idioms make language more interesting or emotional?


    7. Is it always bad to “come out swinging,” or can it be a good thing?


    8. What’s an example of something someone said that felt “below the belt”? How did you respond?

This lesson is based on:

by Bwanko

An article from -

© 2025 by EWB. All rights reserved.

bottom of page