Cast net worthwhile to fold (5,2,3,5)
I believe the answer is:
throw in the towel
'fold' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I cannot understand how they can define each other.
'cast net worthwhile to' is the wordplay.
'cast' is an anagram indicator (letters are dispersed or cast around).
'net'+'worthwhile'+'to'='networthwhileto'
'networthwhileto' anagrammed gives 'THROW IN THE TOWEL'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for throw in the towel that I've seen before include "admit defeat" , "Cave in" , "Give oneself up" , "Make a concession" , "damp condition suggests one might?" .)