expression, ichidan verb
throw in the towel; give up; concede defeat
Idiomatic expression borrowed from boxing; used when someone admits defeat or abandons a struggle.
彼は交渉が難航して、ついにタオルを投げた。
The negotiations hit a snag, and he finally threw in the towel.
あまりの暑さに、庭仕事をタオルを投げてしまった。
Because of the intense heat, I gave up on the yard work.