Meaning
To stop participating.
Cultural Background
In Danish media, this phrase is frequently used to describe political resignations. It is seen as a dramatic but necessary part of the political cycle. Across Scandinavia (Norway and Sweden), very similar versions exist (e.g., Swedish 'kasta in handduken'). It shows the shared sporting and linguistic history of the region. Because boxing is a global sport, this idiom is one of the most widely understood metaphors in the Western world, making it a 'safe' idiom for international communication. In the Danish startup scene, 'at smide håndklædet' is often discussed in podcasts as a 'learning moment' rather than a shameful end.
Use the definite form
Always say 'håndklædet' (the towel), never 'et håndklæde' (a towel) when using the idiom.
Don't get naked!
Be careful not to confuse 'smide håndklædet' with 'smide tøjet' (to undress).
Meaning
To stop participating.
Use the definite form
Always say 'håndklædet' (the towel), never 'et håndklæde' (a towel) when using the idiom.
Don't get naked!
Be careful not to confuse 'smide håndklædet' with 'smide tøjet' (to undress).
Add 'i ringen' for impact
Adding 'i ringen' at the end makes you sound more like a native speaker and adds a bit of dramatic flair.
Test Yourself
Udfyld det manglende ord i sætningen.
Efter ti timers arbejde valgte han endelig at smide ___________.
Idiomet kræver bestemt form ental: 'håndklædet'.
Hvilken sætning bruger idiomet korrekt?
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
Dette er den eneste sætning, hvor udtrykket bruges i sin overførte (figurative) betydning.
Færdiggør dialogen.
A: Kan du reparere cyklen? B: Nej, det er umuligt. Jeg ___________.
'Smider håndklædet' passer perfekt som et svar på en opgave, man ikke kan løse.
Match situationen med den rigtige reaktion.
En politiker indser, at han ikke kan vinde valget.
At trække sig fra et valg er en klassisk situation for dette idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEfter ti timers arbejde valgte han endelig at smide ___________.
Idiomet kræver bestemt form ental: 'håndklædet'.
Vælg den rigtige sætning:
Dette er den eneste sætning, hvor udtrykket bruges i sin overførte (figurative) betydning.
A: Kan du reparere cyklen? B: Nej, det er umuligt. Jeg ___________.
'Smider håndklædet' passer perfekt som et svar på en opgave, man ikke kan løse.
En politiker indser, at han ikke kan vinde valget.
At trække sig fra et valg er en klassisk situation for dette idiom.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot necessarily. While it means giving up, it can often be seen as a realistic or wise decision in a hopeless situation.
Yes, it's very common to use it jokingly for small daily frustrations.
The past tense is 'smed'. Example: 'Han smed håndklædet i går.'
Yes, if you are explaining why a previous project or business didn't work out, it's perfectly acceptable.
Yes, 'kaste' and 'smide' are interchangeable in this idiom, though 'smide' is more common in speech.
Only metaphorically! You don't need a physical towel to use the phrase.
'Give op' is a direct verb, while 'smide håndklædet' is a more colorful, idiomatic way to say the same thing.
Yes, it is a standard idiom used across the entire country.
No, the idiom is strictly singular: 'håndklædet'.
Like many languages, Danish has adopted many sports metaphors because they provide clear, dramatic imagery for success and failure.
Related Phrases
at give op
synonymTo give up
at opgive ævred
similarTo give up the field (farming origin)
at kapitulere
synonymTo capitulate
at bide i græsset
contrastTo bite the dust
at kaste håndklædet i ringen
specialized formTo cast the towel in the ring
