Choose the meaning of 'to throw in the towel'.

**The reasoning** "To throw in the towel" is an **idiom** — a phrase whose meaning isn't literal. It comes from boxing: when a boxer's coach throws a towel into the ring, it signals surrender; the fighter can't continue. So the phrase means **to quit or give up** when facing difficulty or defeat. In exams, idiom questions test whether you know the *figurative* (hidden) meaning, not the literal words. "Throw in the towel" has nothing to do with actual towels — it's about **admitting defeat**. **Why the wrong options tempt you** - **A (To swim)** — You might think "towel" connects to water/swimming. That's literal thinking; idioms don't work that way. - **C (To clean)** — Again, towels are for cleaning, but idioms aren't about their literal objects. - **D (To celebrate)** — Sounds positive, but "throwing in the towel" happens during struggle, not success. All wrong options exploit literal word associations instead of the phrase's actual meaning. **Quick takeaway** When you see an idiom question, ignore the individual words — learn what the whole phrase *culturally means*. "Throw in the towel" = surrender when things get tough.