How do you say “Throw in the towel” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is Jeter l’éponge, which literally means “To throw the sponge”. English speakers use throw in the towel to mean to stop trying and admit defeat because a situation has become too difficult. The usual idiomatic choice for giving up after trying. It is informal and common in everyday French.
Closest natural French
Jeter l’éponge
/ʒə.te le.pɔ̃ʒ/
- Literal meaning
- “To throw the sponge”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
96 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
English throws a towel and French throws a sponge. Both images mark the end of a struggle.
The feeling is very close: someone has tried and now gives up. Neither phrase means simply taking a break.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity4 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in French?
Baisser les bras
Literally: “To lower the arms”
Stresses losing the will to keep trying.
Abandonner
Literally: “To abandon”
A plain verb for stopping an effort or project.
Don't translate it literally
Jeter la serviette
In standard French in France, “jeter l’éponge” is the established expression for admitting defeat.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in French, not as expressions.
In context
English
After three failed attempts, I threw in the towel.
French
Après trois tentatives ratées, j’ai jeté l’éponge.
English
Don’t throw in the towel yet.
French
Ne jette pas encore l’éponge.
Related expressions
Last reviewed 2026-09-12