Giving up with 匙を投げる
匙を投げる means “to give up” or “to throw in the towel”. It describes abandoning an effort or responsibility because the situation seems hopeless or too difficult to handle.
匙を投げる literally means “throw the spoon”.
Origins
The traditional explanation traces the phrase to doctors who mixed medicine with a spoon. Putting the spoon aside meant that further treatment seemed hopeless.
The modern phrase applies to any problem that someone has stopped trying to solve.
Usage Notes
Use it when someone:
- abandons a task because it seems impossible
- stops trying to help a person
- gives up on a relationship or project
It suggests resignation after repeated attempts have failed. English equivalents include “throw in the towel” and “wash one’s hands of it”.
Examples
Giving up catching a cat with 匙を投げる
Idiom Explanation: Giving up with 匙を投げる
Eve takes the job of catching a cat that ran away from its owner. Following a successful mid-air catch off the roof and into a tree, Eve returns the cat to its owner.
- お城ちゃん:
- 「よかったぁ うちの仔すばしっこすぎて業者さんに匙投げられて…」
- “Thank goodness! Our little one was so quick that the hired help gave up on us...”
- 「ありがとう 魔女さん」
- “Thank you, Miss Mage.”