To fold your hand
Meaning
To withdraw from an activity, challenge, or competition, especially when faced with unfavorable circumstances or a perceived losing position.
Origin
The phrase "to fold your hand" is a direct import from the game of poker, a card game that exploded in popularity across the United States during the 19th century, particularly in saloons and aboard Mississippi riverboats. In poker, when a player believes their cards are too weak to win, or the cost to continue is too high, they signal their withdrawal from the current round by physically bending or "folding" their hand of cards and placing them face down on the table. This act signifies giving up on the current pot, a vivid metaphor that soon transcended the card table to describe any situation where one chooses to abandon an effort rather than risk further loss or failure.
Examples
- After a series of failed attempts to secure funding, the startup decided to fold its hand and close operations.
- The opposing team played too strongly, forcing the coach to fold his hand and concede defeat in the final minutes of the game.