Signification
To give up.
Contexte culturel
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.
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.
Signification
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.
Teste-toi
Fyll inn det manglende ordet i uttrykket.
Etter ti timer på jobb valgte han å kaste ___ håndkleet.
Uttrykket er 'å kaste inn håndkleet'.
Hva betyr uttrykket?
Lise kastet inn håndkleet.
Idiomet betyr å gi opp eller kapitulere.
Fullfør dialogen.
A: Er du ferdig med boka? B: Nei, den var så kjedelig at jeg ___.
Fortid av 'kaste' er 'kastet'.
Hvilken situasjon passer best for uttrykket?
Å kaste inn håndkleet
Uttrykket brukes når man gir opp på grunn av motgang.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Where to use it
Sports
- • Boxing
- • Skiing
- • Football
Daily Life
- • Puzzles
- • Cooking
- • DIY
Work
- • Coding
- • Projects
- • Meetings
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesEtter ti timer på jobb valgte han å kaste ___ håndkleet.
Uttrykket er 'å kaste inn håndkleet'.
Lise kastet inn håndkleet.
Idiomet betyr å gi opp eller kapitulere.
A: Er du ferdig med boka? B: Nei, den var så kjedelig at jeg ___.
Fortid av 'kaste' er 'kastet'.
Å kaste inn håndkleet
Uttrykket brukes når man gir opp på grunn av motgang.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIn 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.
Expressions liées
Å gi opp
synonymTo give up
Å legge inn årene
similarTo pull in the oars
Å kapitulere
synonymTo capitulate
Å bite i det sure eplet
builds onTo bite the sour apple
Å seile i medvind
contrastTo sail in a tailwind
