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.

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 • Feb. 7, 2024

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

“Every single year I go to the mat to boost funding for the Child Care Development Block Grant — I know how much it helps working parents and kids,” Senator Murray said.

From New York Times • Apr. 8, 2022

I was looking forward to celebrating Jeremy O. Harris’ path-breaking “Slave Play,” thrillingly directed by Robert O’Hara, and was ready to go to the mat for Ivo van Hove’s multimedia reconstruction of “West Side Story.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2020

But there is an issue that we can go to the mat with, and so far it hasn't been raised at all.

From The Sturdy Oak A composite Novel of American Politics by fourteen American authors by Jordan, Elizabeth Garver