throw in the towel的词源解释,throw in the towel来源

"admit defeat," 1901 (Australian English), a figurative use from boxing. Earlier, in the literal ring sense, as throw the towel (1907), throw up the towel (1894).

[A trainer] was so impressed by the fact that Sharkey was knocked out that after the sailor was down six seconds he started to throw up his towel to indicate Sharkey's surrender. [news wire account of testimony in Fitsimmons-Sharkey case, December 11, 1896]

该词起源时间：1901年