die Flinte ins Korn werfen

to give up; to throw in the sponge

Origin

From the military world of the 17th/18th c.: fleeing mercenaries threw their musket (Flinte) into the cornfield to escape faster and signal surrender.

Source

Building blocks

Words in this expression

ins· into the das Korn· grain nach· after der Rückschlag· setback werfen· to throw

Grammar that uses this word

Two-way prepositions with accusative (Wohin? / where to)Wechselpräpositionen mit Akkusativ (Wohin?)
Two-way prepositions contrast: Wo? vs. Wohin? (where vs. where to)Wechselpräpositionen Kontrast: Wo? vs. Wohin?
Position of object pronounsStellung der Objektpronomen
Reflexive verbs (sich freuen, sich waschen)Reflexive Verben (sich freuen, sich waschen)

Examples

Auch dem warf sie die Flinte nicht .
Even after the setback she didn't give up.