went to the mat
Battled without yielding
Went to the mat means fought hard for something, defended a position with full commitment.
From wrestling, where the mat is where the struggle happens.
Someone who goes to the mat refuses to back down: She went to the mat for her employees when management proposed layoffs.
The phrase implies putting yourself on the line for a cause or person.
- competeStrive for superiority
- fightPhysical or verbal conflict
- go to batSupport or defend another
- defendProtect from harm
- stand your groundRefuse to back down
commit · battle · persevere · dig in · all-out · no holds barred · resilience · struggle · back against the wall · tenacity · determination · last stand · put up a fight · intensity · pull out all the stops · advocate · unwavering · grit
went to the matgave up
Abandoned an attempt
surrendered · capitulated · threw in the towel · caved in · backed down
went to the matsidestepped
Avoided by moving aside
shied away · turned tail · chickened out · punted · looked the other way