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Glite Dictionary
to go to the mattresses

to go to the mattresses

1 9.0
Prepare to fight hard in a serious argument
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : prepararse para un conflicto
  • When the negotiations broke down, the union leaders said it was time to go to the mattresses for better working conditions.

Examples

  • Do you know what it is to go to the mattresses?

    You've Got Mail (1998)

  • The answer to your question is: "Go to the mattresses."

    You've Got Mail (1998)

  • JOE: Well, minus specifics, it's hard to help except to say... ...go to the mattresses.

    You've Got Mail (1998)

  • well, we'd better call luca brasi, 'cause we might have to go to the mattresses.

    Brooklyn Rules (2007)

  • The two rival gangs decided to go to the mattresses to settle their longstanding feud.

  • To protect their interests, the companies chose to go to the mattresses against new regulations.

Synonyms

to throw down
vsto go to the mattresses
  • Informal
18 7.0

To start a fight or bold competition to show strength

plans and prepares for conflict rather than jumping into bold engagement
to batten down the hatches
vsto go to the mattresses
  • Informal
6 8.2

Prepare for trouble by taking steps to stay safe

prepares specifically for serious conflict, including organized defensive or aggressive actions
to take the offensive
vsto go to the mattresses
5 6.4

Begin attacking or acting aggressively to gain an advantage

often focuses on preparing broadly, including both defensive and aggressive steps
to go to the mat
vsto go to the mattresses
  • Informal
5 7.6

Argue strongly to protect an idea or position

prepares for a broader, often prolonged conflict rather than immediate fighting
to put up one's dukes
vsto go to the mattresses
  • Slang
2 9.5

Raise your fists to get ready to fight or defend yourself

prepares more widely, arranging larger defensive or aggressive measures beyond gestures

Antonyms

surrender
77 4.2

Giving up after defeat, for example when an army stops fighting

to stay out of it
56 3.8

To avoid getting involved in an argument or fight

How Prepared

to go to the mattresses
  • Informal
1 9.0
to mobilize
76 5.8
to prepare
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

go to the mattresses infinitive
went to the mattresses past
gone to the mattresses past participle
going to the mattresses present participle
goes to the mattresses third person singular

Morphology

go + to + the + mattresses

The phrase's meaning (‘prepare for serious conflict’) is culturally and contextually specific (famously from mafia/The Godfather usage) and cannot be derived from the literal parts 'go' + 'to' + 'the' + 'mattresses' (which suggest moving to bedding or sleeping). A B1 learner who knows the constituent words would most likely infer a literal sense (going to sleep or moving mattresses) rather than the idiomatic sense of mobilizing for a fight, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Go to the mattresses comes from mob stories. When gangs prepared for a big fight, members moved into safe houses and slept on mattresses so they could be ready to fight or defend at once. That's why it means 'prepare for a serious conflict'.