1 B2 idiomatic informal
To give up or stop doing something, typically out of frustration or exhaustion.
"After three failed attempts to fix the car, he decided to toss it in and call a mechanic."
inseparable
toss it in
B2 informal inseparable intransitive
To quit, give up, or abandon something, often in frustration.
In plain English
To stop doing something or quit, especially when you're fed up.
What does "toss it in" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Usage tip
Chiefly Australian and British English. Equivalent to 'pack it in' or 'throw in the towel'. Often expresses a degree of frustration or defeated resignation. The 'it' does not refer to a specific object but functions as a dummy pronoun.
Words that pair with "toss it in"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
job course relationship project career study
How to conjugate "toss it in"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
toss it in
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tosses it in
he/she/it
Past simple
tossed it in
yesterday
Past participle
tossed it in
have + pp
-ing form
tossing it in
continuous
Hear "toss it in" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "toss it in" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Other ways to say "toss it in"
Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.