go to the mat

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“A lot of lawmakers were loosely opposed to it, but not really willing to go to the mat one way or the other. And they did it over the weekend when fewer people were paying attention.”

From Slate

But it appears it’s only this one retired congressman who is willing to go to the mat publicly at this point.

From Seattle Times

McGuire gave labor unions credit on Monday, saying that “in California, we go to the mat for the rights of workers.”

From Los Angeles Times

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

McBee: Can I go to the mat for someone else’s pick?

From New York Times