puts up a fight
Doesn't surrender easily
To put up a fight is to resist or struggle against something rather than accepting defeat passively.
The phrase usually implies determined opposition even when the outcome looks unfavorable: The underdog team put up a fight but lost in the final minutes.
Someone might put up a fight against an illness, a legal ruling, or an actual physical opponent.
The expression can also describe arguing or protesting vigorously: She put up a fight when they tried to cut her budget.
- defendProtect from harm
- oppositionActive resistance or dissent
- defianceOpen resistance to authority
- struggleLabored effort against resistance
- tooth and nailWith desperate intensity
battle · persevere · resilient · no surrender · clash · holdout · resist · combat · withstand · reacts · tenacity · stand your ground · defy · endure · standoff · contest · argue · obstruct
puts up a fightsurrenders
Ceases resistance formally
submits · yields · gives in · capitulates · acquiesces
puts up a fightwaves the white flag
throws in the towel · cries uncle · buckles · crumbles · bends the knee
puts, putting, fight, fights, fighting, fought, fighter, fighters