put up one's dukes
Raise defensive fists
Put up one's dukes means to raise one's fists in a fighting stance, ready to box or brawl.
Dukes is old slang for fists.
The phrase appears literally in contexts of physical confrontation and figuratively when someone prepares for any kind of conflict or competition: When the budget cuts were announced, the union put up its dukes.
- fighting stanceCombatant's ready position
- fight backOppose an attacker
- boxingCombat sport using fists
- fisticuffsHand-to-hand combat
- knuckle sandwichSlang for facial blow
sparring · pugilism · stand one's ground · gloves off · bare-knuckle boxing · square off · toe to toe · throw down · throw hands · Queensberry rules · jab · come to blows · footwork · uppercut · courage · punch · brawl · determination
combative readiness
put up one's dukessurrender
Cease resistance, yield
give up · submit · capitulate · back down · lower one's guard