Despite several failures, Ali finally decided to throw in the towel and quit the competition.What does the underlined idiom mean?

Explanation

The correct answer is option B: 'To accept defeat'. The idiom 'throw in the towel' originates from boxing, where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to signal that their fighter can no longer continue, effectively conceding the match. In this context, Ali's decision to throw in the towel implies that after numerous attempts and failures, he has chosen to accept that he cannot win and will stop competing. Options A, C, and D are incorrect because they suggest continuing efforts, starting over, or relaxing, none of which reflect the meaning of accepting defeat or giving up.