put up a fight

put up a fight

1. To struggle, fight, resist, etc. I thought we'd have to get the law involved, but he didn't put up much of a fight in the end. I expect they'll put up a fight when we announce the pay cuts, but they'll either have to accept them or look for other work.
2. To make a brave or valiant effort against someone or something, especially when outmatched or unlikely to succeed. Usually modified by the adjective "good." They put up a good fight, but they never really had a chance to defeat us. She and her campaign put up a fight to the very end, but it was clear in the weeks leading up to the election that she would lose.
See also: fight, put, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

put up a fight

 and put up a struggle
to make a struggle, a fight, etc. (Fixed order.) Did he put up a fight? No, he only put up a bit of a struggle.
See also: fight, put, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

put up a (good) ˈfight

fight or compete bravely against somebody/something stronger than you: The team put up a good fight but in the end they were beaten. She won’t accept the decision — she’ll put up a fight.
See also: fight, put, up
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • fight for
  • fight for (someone or something)
  • fight through
  • fight
  • fight (one's way) through
  • pick on somebody your own size
  • pick on someone your own size
  • pick on your own size
  • quarrel
  • it takes two to make a quarrel