go to the mat

Idioms  

1. Fight until one side or another is victorious, as in The governor said he'd go to the mat for this bill. This term comes from wrestling and evokes the holding of an opponent when both contestants are down on the mat, the padded floor-covering used in matches. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.

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Example Sentences

Were there ever things that you had to really go to the mat to fight for or that actually didn't make it?

From Salon • Nov. 29, 2023

“I will go to the mat to get rid of this cap,” Pollet said.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 9, 2023

The District’s Candy Kessel said the best pithy advice she ever received was from her boss during a performance evaluation many years ago: “Candy, you can’t go to the mat on everything.”

From Washington Post • Aug. 16, 2021

Canada isn't likely to have a major issue on the new auto rules, but is expected to go to the mat on at least two U.S. demands.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2018

Clay restrained a good, healthy impulse to pick a row with him and go to the mat with the ex-prize-fighter.

From The Big-Town Round-Up by Raine, William MacLeod