put up one's dukes

The phrase "put up one's dukes" is an old-fashioned idiom often used to signify readiness for a physical fight or confrontation.

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Definition

B2Physical Confrontation

(informal, old-fashioned)To raise clenched fists in preparation for a physical fight.

Example

He told his opponent to put up his dukes before the fight started.

B2General Competition

(informal)To show readiness to engage in a contest or challenge.

Example

In the final round, both teams put up their dukes, determined to win.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "put up one's dukes":

duke it out knuckle up put up a fight put one's hands up take up the cudgels fight up drop the gloves put one's hand up throw hands duke up come to blows ante up pump someone's fist take off one's gloves roll up one's sleeves show one's claws nut up throw up one's hands get one's claws out square up put up hem up dust up up in arms come out swinging