to go to the mat

Examples

• All

• And I go to the mat for what I believe in.

  Mank (2020)

• You don't think I got the guts to go to the mat.

  The War of the Roses (1989)

• But the thing was, is that they were willing to go to the mat for this guy.

  Rich Roll

• Why are we going to the mat in any direction on this?

  The Prof G Pod – Scott Galloway

• - A lot of people went to the mat for you.

  Good Morning, Vietnam (1987)

• I went to the mat for you.

  The Associate (1996)

• Has he gone to the mat with Harris over this?

  Blog text (28)

• I've gone to the mat with the civil authorities.

  Taps (1981)

• - He's gonna go to the mat... for your brother, and it's gonna hurt him.

  Miller's Crossing (1990)

• If he goes to the mat over it, he'll further divide his party, most of whom don't want this fight.

  Blog text (24)

Synonyms

F

to fight

vsto go to the mat

∞ 1.0

To try hard to oppose or overcome something difficult

is specifically about defending or arguing for a position with determination

G

to go at it

vsto go to the mat

• Informal

56 6.7

Act with a lot of energy, often fighting, arguing, or working hard

emphasizes defending a position with steady determination rather than general energetic effort

T

to throw down

vsto go to the mat

• Informal

18 7.0

To start a fight or bold competition to show strength

prefers defending a position firmly rather than initiating a bold challenge

S

to slug it out

vsto go to the mat

• Informal

7 8.0

Fight or compete hard until one side wins

focuses on defending a stated position rather than fighting until a winner emerges

T

to take the offensive

vsto go to the mat

5 6.4

Begin attacking or acting aggressively to gain an advantage

is about holding and defending a position firmly rather than initiating attack

G

to go to the mattresses

vsto go to the mat

• Informal

1 9.0

Prepare to fight hard in a serious argument

focuses on actively fighting or defending a position now rather than preparation

Antonyms

G

to give in

220 3.0

To stop resisting and agree to what others want

B

to back down

107 3.7

To stop insisting because others oppose you

How Vigorously

to fight

∞ 1.0

to go to the mat

• Informal

5 7.6

to stand up for

256 2.7

to object

349 5.1

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology