What Towel?

In a preview for Grey's Anatomy, which I haven't watched in at least two years, Meredith said, " I've come too far to throw the towel in."

I've always said throw in the towel (not throw the towel in).

Which is correct?  Does it really matter?  And what towel?

I'm going to break it down.

As I suspected, according the the Internet, the correct phrasing is "throw in the towel." Besides, you're not supposed to end a sentence with a preposition as in "throw the towel in."

From context clues, we can determine that it means to quit or give up.  But did you know that the expression began with boxing?  When a boxer is getting beaten and sure to suffer defeat, he/she or someone in his/her team will literally throw a towel into the ring as a means of surrender.  As my mamaw used to say, "Doesn't that beat all?!" (translation, imagine that)

Have a great week!  And don't forget to visit Random Tuesday ThoughtsRandom Tuesday Thoughts and Happy Tuesday!