go to the mattresses

go to the mattresses

To enter into or prepare for a lengthy war, battle, or conflict; to adopt a combative or warlike position. While the true origin is uncertain, the phrase was popularized in English by The Godfather novel and films, where it referred to warring mafia families housing their soldiers in small, secure apartments to await orders. While Republicans have shown some flexibility over other contentious issues, it looks as though they're ready to go to the mattresses over the issue of gun control. We'll go to the mattresses if that's what it takes to defend ourselves!
See also: go, mattress
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • mattress
  • (as) sure as eggs (is eggs)
  • a penny for them
  • kicking and screaming
  • great minds
  • great minds think alike
  • be twiddling (one's) thumbs
  • be twiddling your thumbs
  • 57
  • Heinz 57 (variety)
References in periodicals archive
He is the wartime consigliere and Johnson's Cabinet, filled with Brexit true-believers, is ready to go to the mattresses in a snap election - or even a second EU referendum, which Cummings once predicted would be required to secure Brexit.
Y'know, the kind who would go to the mattresses for the Sharifs.
After this implosion the jewellery trade will go to the mattresses and cower as the banking industry does its math and checks out its liabilities to other similar organisations who could be defaulters in the future, a whole tribe of Modis and Choksis in the making.
He doesn't see the big picture and is eager to "go to the mattresses" and have a metaphorical gang war instead of being a sly diplomat like his father.
Even if you have the temerity to talk about Measure 11, you go to the mattresses and start World War III.
Most of the Democrats have a stake in serving the system; few have the independence or willingness to go to the mattresses or stand up for what they say they claim, at times, to believe in.
Should I start gathering munitions and other supplies just in case we have to go to the mattresses? Is it war, or are a few overly excitable people just trying to corner the market on fruitcake?
Clemenza said it best: It's time to go to the mattresses.
He is the wartime consigliere and Johnson's Cabinet, filled with Brexit true-believers, is ready to go to the mattresses in a snap election -- or even a second EU referendum, which Cummings once predicted would be required to secure Brexit.
"The notion of Harvey of becoming managing partner is not something that Louis would go to the mattresses over, to use the 'Godfather expression.' The question is: When Harvey makes specific decisions from the position of managing partner that Louis disagrees with, how's that going to go?"
But the idea that 'let's all go to the mattresses here and fight about this in the law courts'--we think that's unjust to everybody."