A1 Idiom Neutral

Å kaste inn håndkleet.

To throw in the towel.

Significado

To give up.

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Contexto cultural

In Norway, 'å kaste inn håndkleet' is often used in political commentary. When a politician resigns due to pressure, newspapers almost always use this phrase. While boxing is the origin, you will hear this in cross-country skiing (Norway's national sport) if an athlete withdraws from a race. Norwegians value honesty about burnout. Using this phrase can be a way to signal that a workload is unsustainable without sounding too negative. Because of the heavy influence of English media in Norway, many English idioms like this one are used perfectly by Norwegians, often without them realizing it's a loan-translation.

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The 'Inn' Rule

Always remember the 'inn'. Without it, you are just throwing a towel at someone, which is quite rude!

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Not for Habits

Don't use this for quitting smoking or drinking. Use 'å slutte' for that.

Significado

To give up.

🎯

The 'Inn' Rule

Always remember the 'inn'. Without it, you are just throwing a towel at someone, which is quite rude!

⚠️

Not for Habits

Don't use this for quitting smoking or drinking. Use 'å slutte' for that.

💬

Sports Context

If you use this while watching sports with Norwegians, you will sound very native and knowledgeable.

Ponte a prueba

Fyll inn det manglende ordet i uttrykket.

Etter ti timer på jobb valgte han å kaste ___ håndkleet.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: inn

Uttrykket er 'å kaste inn håndkleet'.

Hva betyr uttrykket?

Lise kastet inn håndkleet.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Lise ga opp.

Idiomet betyr å gi opp eller kapitulere.

Fullfør dialogen.

A: Er du ferdig med boka? B: Nei, den var så kjedelig at jeg ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: kastet inn håndkleet

Fortid av 'kaste' er 'kastet'.

Hvilken situasjon passer best for uttrykket?

Å kaste inn håndkleet

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Du slutter med en hobby fordi den er for vanskelig.

Uttrykket brukes når man gir opp på grunn av motgang.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Where to use it

🥊

Sports

  • Boxing
  • Skiing
  • Football
🏠

Daily Life

  • Puzzles
  • Cooking
  • DIY
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Work

  • Coding
  • Projects
  • Meetings

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fyll inn det manglende ordet i uttrykket. Fill Blank A1

Etter ti timer på jobb valgte han å kaste ___ håndkleet.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: inn

Uttrykket er 'å kaste inn håndkleet'.

Hva betyr uttrykket? Choose A1

Lise kastet inn håndkleet.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Lise ga opp.

Idiomet betyr å gi opp eller kapitulere.

Fullfør dialogen. dialogue_completion A2

A: Er du ferdig med boka? B: Nei, den var så kjedelig at jeg ___.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: kastet inn håndkleet

Fortid av 'kaste' er 'kastet'.

Hvilken situasjon passer best for uttrykket? situation_matching A1

Å kaste inn håndkleet

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Du slutter med en hobby fordi den er for vanskelig.

Uttrykket brukes når man gir opp på grunn av motgang.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

In this idiom, it is almost always 'håndkleet' (the towel). Using the indefinite form sounds unnatural.

Yes, it is very common in professional settings to describe giving up on a task or project.

It can be, but it often just sounds realistic. It's an admission of fact rather than a moral failure.

The past tense is 'kastet inn håndkleet'.

Younger people might say 'jeg gir opp' or 'jeg orker ikke', but the idiom is still very popular.

Yes, but it's older and less common today. Stick to 'håndkleet'.

Almost, but 'å legge inn årene' often implies a permanent stop or retirement.

Yes, it's a common way to say a couple has given up on trying to stay together.

No, the 'd' is silent in Norwegian pronunciation of this word.

It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

Å gi opp

synonym

To give up

🔗

Å legge inn årene

similar

To pull in the oars

🔄

Å kapitulere

synonym

To capitulate

🔗

Å bite i det sure eplet

builds on

To bite the sour apple

🔗

Å seile i medvind

contrast

To sail in a tailwind

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