goes to the mat
Battles to finish
Goes to the mat means to fight strenuously for something, defending a position or person with full commitment.
From wrestling, where the mat is where the real struggle happens.
She went to the mat for her team's proposal.
Someone who goes to the mat refuses to back down, even when the odds are unfavorable.
- insistAssert with determination
- take a standPublicly commit to a position
- defendProtect from harm
- commitBind to a course
- persevereContinue despite obstacles
go the distance · contest · fight · put up a fight · battle it out · dig in · hold the line · struggle · conviction · advocacy · resilience · wrestle · stand firm · stand one's ground · tenacity · never say die · steadfastness · resolve
goes to the matgives up
Ceases effort or resistance
surrenders · capitulates · throws in the towel · taps out · caves in
goes to the matabandons
Ceases to support
sells out · hangs out to dry · betrays · washes one's hands of