go to the mat

Related to go to the mat: nooks and crannies, Off the Top of My Head, couldn't, by way of, at least, take it for granted, have a blast

go to the mat for (someone or something)

To give someone or something one's full support; to fight for someone or something until the very end. We firmly believe that she is in the right on this matter, and we're ready to go to the mat for her in court if necessary. Many members of the party have said that they'll go to the mat for this bill.
See also: go, mat
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

go to the mat

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.
See also: go, mat
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

go to the mat

mainly AMERICAN
If someone goes to the mat, they fight very fiercely about something. Erickson said he will go to the mat to save parks in the city. This was a cause that Greens, Socialists and a majority of Liberals were willing to go to the mat for. Note: This expression refers to a wrestler who fights fiercely and is willing to risk a fall.
See also: go, mat
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

go to the mat

vigorously engage in an argument or dispute, typically on behalf of a particular person or cause.
The mat referred to is the thick mat in a gym on which wrestling is practised.
1924 P. G. Wodehouse Leave it to Psmith I…heard…you and Aunt Constance going to the mat about poor old Phyllis.
See also: go, mat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

go to the ˈmat (with somebody) (for somebody/something)

(American English, informal) support or defend somebody/something in an argument with somebody: We went to the mat for him because he’d helped us in the past.
See also: go, mat
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be/have done with somebody/something
  • be in line with (someone or something)
  • better of
  • (someone or something) promises well
  • begin with
  • begin with (someone or something)
  • bird has flown, the
  • beware of
  • beware of (someone or something)
  • be rough on (someone or something)
References in periodicals archive
They are unwilling to go to the mat with the fat cats.
Tax Reform Now!
Influential Democratic backers go to the mat to protect Social Security and Medicare.
After shutdown, few talk of budget solutions
He said conservative Republican members of the House are "absolutely prepared to go to the mat" and return for multiple special sessions to prevent any semblance of Medicaid expansion.
As Clock Ticks, Medicaid Expansion Dwindles
The administration's hard line, "taken as a sign that the administration was ready to go to the mat with Bibi," encouraged Palestinian activists.
Hillary Clinton Book Reveals The Inside Story Of How Administration Mangled Mideast Peace Initiative
As usual, the season's grosses were dominated by tuners, from long-running ones like "Phantom" to such later arrivals as "Evita." But the frame also saw an unusually large number of producers go to the mat for what conventional wisdom considers the hardest sell on Broadway--a new straight play with an untested title.
Broadway ticketed for success: lacking a breakout hit, the 2011-12 season saw familiar faves and flexible pricing help drive grosses to a new high
"People will go to the mat to protect the Catholic church and its institutions, but they will not go to the mat to protect Taco Bell and other businessmen if they want to deny contraceptives to their women employees," said Jesuit Fr.
Some see bishops in danger of overplaying their hand
As noted, the league appears ready to go to the mat and seize the club in order to sell the club without creditor approval.
As Quarterly Owners Meetings Take Place, Here's a Texas Rangers Sale Update
Just a few years ago, AU had to go to the mat to defeat a school prayer amendment (misnamed the "Religious Freedom Amendment"), and we've seen a host of other issues grow up around that controversy.
Americans United at 60: the wall of separation depends on you
While insisting that the states would go to the mat to retain their oversight over insurance, Serio and Blumenthal both outlined areas where the federal government could play a role in the investigation.
Senate hearing spotlights probes and remedies: state officials welcome a federal role in investigations
Meanwhile, Gore refused to go to the mat on positions that were popular with the public, crucial to his base, and which everyone knew he cared deeply about.
Weather 'tis nobler in the mind: Al Gore lost in 2000 by going soft on the environment. He can win in 2004 by getting tough
Monarch saying no to a deal that guarantees it a sure amount of cash could be considered an unlikely scenario, but sources are painting a picture of Monarch as being willing to go to the mat if it thinks it is not getting every penny it should.
"Predator" Hedge Fund Could Throw Wrench in Texas Rangers Sale
If you want to go to the mat for this guy, you'll have to grapple with him--and even then, you may not get a ring.
This Oscar season, no one is that into anyone: what ever happened to happily-ever-after love stories? 2008 brought no shortage of doomed and dysfunctional relationships. If only cinema had an advice-to-the-lovelorn column, catering to the romantic missteps of the frankly fictional! Well, now it does