going to the mat
Refusing to yield
Going to the mat means fighting or competing with full commitment, refusing to back down.
The phrase comes from wrestling, where taking the fight to the mat means engaging in close combat rather than avoiding contact.
It implies determination to see a struggle through to the end: She's going to the mat for her employees' benefits.
Often appears as go to the mat for someone or something.
- wrestlingCombat sport requiring holds
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
- go the distancePersist to completion
- determinationFirmness of purpose
safeguarding · championing · resolve · lobbying · confrontation · defending · grappling · protecting · last stand · battle · tenacity · upholding · dedication · supporting · steadfastness · advocacy · endurance · sparring
going to the matgiving up
Choosing to stop trying
caving in · backing down · capitulating · surrendering · throwing in the towel
going to the matknuckling under
Yielding to demands
caving · kowtowing · submitting · deferring · going along to get along
going to the matcompromising
Exposing to harm or scandal
giving ground · bending · accommodating · rolling over · caving