go to the mat


go to the mat for (someone or something)

To give someone or something one's full support; to fight for someone or something until the very end. We firmly believe that she is in the right on this matter, and we're ready to go to the mat for her in court if necessary. Many members of the party have said that they'll go to the mat for this bill.See also: go, mat

go to the mat

Fight until one side or another is victorious, as in The governor said he'd go to the mat for this bill. This term comes from wrestling and evokes the holding of an opponent when both contestants are down on the mat, the padded floor-covering used in matches. It has been used figuratively since about 1900. See also: go, mat

go to the mat

mainly AMERICANIf someone goes to the mat, they fight very fiercely about something. Erickson said he will go to the mat to save parks in the city. This was a cause that Greens, Socialists and a majority of Liberals were willing to go to the mat for. Note: This expression refers to a wrestler who fights fiercely and is willing to risk a fall. See also: go, mat

go to the mat

vigorously engage in an argument or dispute, typically on behalf of a particular person or cause. The mat referred to is the thick mat in a gym on which wrestling is practised. 1924 P. G. Wodehouse Leave it to Psmith I…heard…you and Aunt Constance going to the mat about poor old Phyllis. See also: go, mat

go to the ˈmat (with somebody) (for somebody/something)

(American English, informal) support or defend somebody/something in an argument with somebody: We went to the mat for him because he’d helped us in the past.See also: go, mat