return to the charge

return to the charge

old-fashioned To return to some endeavor, especially an argument, to try and succeed or gain an advantage. His first tax bill having been defeated in the early 1990s, the senator is returning to the charge with a similar bill now that public sentiment has changed in his favor.
See also: charge, return
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

return to the charge

make a further attempt at something, especially in arguing a point. dated
Charge here is used in the sense of a headlong rush forward, usually associated with attacking soldiers in a battle.
See also: charge, return
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • an old fogey/fogy
  • (Well,) I'll be durned!
  • a bit of crackling
  • fashion
  • I'll be blowed
  • blowed
  • (Well,) I'll be blowed!
  • (draw the sword and) throw away the scabbard
  • (Well,) I'll be darned!
References in classic literature
They will then return to the charge, but this time it will take much longer before they persuade me even to look at my wife.
Arabian Nights
Some gentlemen were only satisfied by exercising their sense of touch; and the boys (who are surprisingly precocious in America) were seldom satisfied, even by that, but would return to the charge over and over again.
American Notes for General Circulation
But, accustomed to back and fill, retreat and return to the charge, he was able to endure being struck at, turn and turn about, by his own party, by the opposition, by the court, by the clergy, because to all such attacks he opposed the inert force of a substance which was equally soft and consistent; thus he reaped the benefits of what was really his misfortune.
Bureaucracy