put up a fight
Battle before yielding
To put up a fight is to resist or struggle against something rather than surrender passively.
The phrase applies to physical confrontations The smaller boxer put up a good fight before losing but more often describes any determined opposition: She put up a fight against the unfair policy.
Someone who doesn't put up a fight accepts defeat without resistance.
Open resistance to authority
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- standUpright support structure
- refusalAct of declining
- pushbackResistance to something proposed
protest · noncompliance · rebellion · dissent · resilience · fortitude · obstinacy · recalcitrance
defiance
Open resistance to authority
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- standUpright support structure
- refusalAct of declining
pushback · protest · noncompliance · rebellion · dissent · resilience · fortitude · obstinacy · recalcitrance · intransigence
battle
Armed military engagement
- contestOrganized competitive event
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
- grappleSeize and fight closely
tussle · scuffle · skirmish · brawl · wrestle · confrontation · challenge · effort · strive · persevere
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot