going to the mattresses
Preparing for war
Going to the mattresses means preparing for a prolonged conflict or war, especially by gathering resources and hunkering down.
The phrase comes from Mafia practice—during gang wars, soldiers would hide out in safehouses, sleeping on mattresses on the floor.
Popularized by *The Godfather*, it now applies to any situation requiring total commitment to a fight: When the lawsuit hit, the company went to the mattresses.
- mafiaCriminal organization using intimidation
- omertàCriminal vow of silence
- crime familyCriminal organization by kinship
- family businessEnterprise owned by relatives
- battleArmed military engagement
hideout · strategy · consigliere · safehouse · safe house · mobster · family feud · organized crime · hit squad · planning · refuge · shelter · offense · ambush · vendetta · blood feud · bunker · mobilization
going to the mattressesmaking peace
Ending hostilities between parties
burying the hatchet · coming to terms · making amends · reconciling · building bridges
going to the mattressessurrendering
Ceasing to resist
capitulating · giving up · backing down · throwing in the towel · caving in