go to bat for

Idioms  

1. Take the side of, support, defend. For example, Dad will always go to bat for his kids. This term originated in baseball, where it means simply substituting for another batter, but it is the idea of helping one's team in this way that has been transferred to more general use. [Slang; early 1900s]

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Example Sentences

O’Neill, who is set to join the London-based company from Australia’s Woodside Energy WDS -2.65%decrease; red down pointing triangle in April, is a dealmaker who is willing to go to bat for the oil-and-gas business.

From The Wall Street Journal

Most job seekers don’t have someone like Fife to go to bat for them—not until they get through an initial screening, anyway.

From The Wall Street Journal

The issue put Redstone and some high-level executives at odds with journalists, who expressed dismay that the company did not appear willing to go to bat for one of the network’s premier brands.

From Los Angeles Times

Favata was a “fundamentally decent and caring person at his core who made a tremendous mistake,” Garvey wrote, and added that he was grateful to “go to bat” for his friend.

From Los Angeles Times

Yes, Philadelphians and Pennsylvanians will almost always go to bat for one their own—one of the big upsides for Harris if she chose Shapiro.

From Slate