Signification
To give up on a task.
Contexte culturel
Norwegians value 'friluftsliv' (outdoor life). If someone 'kaster håndkleet' during a mountain hike, it's usually seen as a safety decision rather than a failure. In the Norwegian startup scene, 'fail fast' is becoming a mantra. 'Å kaste håndkleet tidlig' is sometimes praised as a way to save investor money. In Norwegian handball and football, commentators use this when a team stops defending actively in a blowout match. With high standards for 'mastering' subjects, students often use this phrase during exam periods (eksamensperioden) to express burnout.
Use it in Business
If you want to sound like a native in a meeting, use this when discussing a project that is no longer viable. It sounds much more natural than just saying 'vi må stoppe'.
Don't forget the 'T'
Remember that 'håndkleet' ends in a silent 't'. If you write 'håndkleet', you are correct. If you write 'håndkle', you are missing the definite article.
Signification
To give up on a task.
Use it in Business
If you want to sound like a native in a meeting, use this when discussing a project that is no longer viable. It sounds much more natural than just saying 'vi må stoppe'.
Don't forget the 'T'
Remember that 'håndkleet' ends in a silent 't'. If you write 'håndkleet', you are correct. If you write 'håndkle', you are missing the definite article.
The 'Inn' variation
In Oslo and urban areas, you will hear 'kaste inn håndkleet' 80% of the time. 'I ringen' sounds slightly more dramatic or literary.
Teste-toi
Fyll inn det manglende ordet i uttrykket.
Etter tre timer med matteoppgaver valgte han å kaste ________ i ringen.
Vi bruker alltid bestemt form 'håndkleet' i dette idiomet.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for dette uttrykket?
Når passer det å si 'hun kastet håndkleet i ringen'?
Uttrykket betyr å gi opp noe som er krevende.
Fullfør dialogen med riktig form av uttrykket.
A: Skal du virkelig slutte med piano nå? B: Ja, jeg har prøvd i to år, men nå ___________.
B bruker presens (nåtid) for å beskrive hva han gjør akkurat nå.
Match uttrykket med riktig betydning.
Match parrene:
Alle disse uttrykkene handler om utholdenhet eller mangel på det.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEtter tre timer med matteoppgaver valgte han å kaste ________ i ringen.
Vi bruker alltid bestemt form 'håndkleet' i dette idiomet.
Når passer det å si 'hun kastet håndkleet i ringen'?
Uttrykket betyr å gi opp noe som er krevende.
A: Skal du virkelig slutte med piano nå? B: Ja, jeg har prøvd i to år, men nå ___________.
B bruker presens (nåtid) for å beskrive hva han gjør akkurat nå.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Alle disse uttrykkene handler om utholdenhet eller mangel på det.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt is always 'håndkleet' (definite form). Using the indefinite form is a common learner mistake.
Yes, but it sounds a bit dramatic. It's often used humorously in those cases.
'Å gi opp' is neutral. 'Å kaste håndkleet i ringen' implies you've been struggling or 'fighting' for a while.
No, it's not rude at all. It's a standard idiom used in all levels of society.
No, in the figurative sense, there is no actual towel involved.
You can, but it's redundant. 'Ringen' already implies the boxing ring in this context.
Yes, it's very common in newspapers and business reports.
'Å stå løpet ut' (to stand the race out) or 'å bite tennene sammen'.
Because in boxing, they used towels to wipe sweat, not small dishcloths.
No, the 'd' is silent in Norwegian pronunciation of this word.
Expressions liées
å gi opp
synonymTo give up
å kaste inn årene
similarTo throw in the oars
å bite tennene sammen
contrastTo grit one's teeth
å legge inn årene
similarTo lay in the oars
å kapitulere
synonymTo capitulate
