Signification
To give up on something.
Contexte culturel
The phrase is often used in political and sports journalism to describe a dramatic resignation. It reflects the Finnish value of 'rehellisyys' (honesty) — admitting when you can no longer perform. Historically, Finns define themselves through work. Quitting is seen as a major event, which is why the idiom is so forceful ('hitting' the gloves). In the Finnish startup scene, 'failing fast' is sometimes described as 'lyödä hanskat tiskiin ajoissa' (giving up early enough), though the idiom still carries a slightly negative traditional weight. In Ice Hockey (Finland's national sport), if a goalie is pulled or a team stops defending, fans might shout that they've 'hit the gloves on the counter'.
Use for emphasis
Use this when 'lopettaa' (to stop) feels too weak for your level of frustration.
Not for your boss
Never say 'Mä lyön hanskat tiskiin' directly to your boss unless you actually want to quit in a dramatic way right then.
Signification
To give up on something.
Use for emphasis
Use this when 'lopettaa' (to stop) feels too weak for your level of frustration.
Not for your boss
Never say 'Mä lyön hanskat tiskiin' directly to your boss unless you actually want to quit in a dramatic way right then.
Sisu connection
Remember that using this phrase often implies you've reached the limit of your endurance.
Teste-toi
Täytä puuttuva sana oikeassa muodossa.
Hän suuttui ja päätti lyödä ______ tiskiin.
The standard form of the idiom uses the plural accusative 'hanskat'.
Mikä näistä tarkoittaa samaa kuin 'lyödä hanskat tiskiin'?
Valitse synonyymi:
'Antaa periksi' means to give up/in, which is the figurative meaning of the idiom.
Missä tilanteessa on sopivaa käyttää tätä idiomía?
Valitse sopivin tilanne:
The idiom is informal and used for giving up on tasks.
Täytä dialogi sopivalla verbimuodolla.
A: 'Vieläkö yrität korjata tuota autoa?' B: 'En, minä ______ jo hanskat tiskiin tunti sitten.'
The context 'tunti sitten' (an hour ago) requires the past tense (imperfekt) 'löin'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesHän suuttui ja päätti lyödä ______ tiskiin.
The standard form of the idiom uses the plural accusative 'hanskat'.
Valitse synonyymi:
'Antaa periksi' means to give up/in, which is the figurative meaning of the idiom.
Valitse sopivin tilanne:
The idiom is informal and used for giving up on tasks.
A: 'Vieläkö yrität korjata tuota autoa?' B: 'En, minä ______ jo hanskat tiskiin tunti sitten.'
The context 'tunti sitten' (an hour ago) requires the past tense (imperfekt) 'löin'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, 'lyödä rukkaset tiskiin' is a perfectly valid variation, though 'hanskat' is more common in urban areas.
Mostly, yes. It implies failure or frustration. However, it can be used humorously about small things.
'Luovuttaa' is the neutral verb. 'Lyödä hanskat tiskiin' is the idiomatic, colorful version that emphasizes the act of quitting.
Yes, but it sounds quite cold. 'Hän löi hanskat tiskiin parisuhteen suhteen' means they gave up on the relationship entirely.
It is 'tiskiin' (into/to the counter). 'Tiskille' is technically understandable but not the standard idiom.
Not at all. It is used daily in news, sports, and casual conversation.
You can, but plural 'hanskat' is much more common.
No, it comes from manual labor. The boxing equivalent is 'heittää pyyhe kehään'.
The past tense is 'löin' (I hit), 'löit' (you hit), 'löi' (he/she hit).
Only if you are describing a past situation where you had to make a tough decision to stop a project that wasn't working.
Expressions liées
heittää pyyhe kehään
synonymTo throw the towel in the ring.
antaa periksi
similarTo give in.
luovuttaa
synonymTo surrender/give up.
lyödä laimin
contrastTo neglect.
pistää pillit pussiin
similarTo put the whistles in the bag.
