To take up cudgels for

To take up cudgels for
Cudgel Cudg"el (k?j"?l), n. [OE. kuggel; cf. G. keule club (with a round end), kugel ball, or perh. W. cogyl cudgel, or D. cudse, kuds, cudgel.] A staff used in cudgel play, shorter than the quarterstaff, and wielded with one hand; hence, any heavy stick used as a weapon. [1913 Webster]

He getteth him a grievous crabtree cudgel and . . . falls to rating of them as if they were dogs. --Bunyan. [1913 Webster]

{Cudgel play}, a fight or sportive contest with cudgels.

{To cross the cudgels}, to forbear or give up the contest; -- a phrase borrowed from the practice of cudgel players, who lay one cudgel over another when the contest is ended.

{To take up cudgels for}, to engage in a contest in behalf of (some one or something). [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • take up the cudgels for — (someone/something) British & Australian, British & Australian to argue strongly in support of someone or something. Relatives have taken up the cudgels for two British women accused of murder …   New idioms dictionary

  • take up the cudgels for — {v. phr.}, {literary} To come to the defense of; to support or fight for. * /He was the first to take up the cudgels for his friend./ Compare: STAND UP FOR …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • take up the cudgels for — {v. phr.}, {literary} To come to the defense of; to support or fight for. * /He was the first to take up the cudgels for his friend./ Compare: STAND UP FOR …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • take\ up\ the\ cudgels\ for — v. phr. literary To come to the defense of; to support or fight for. He was the first to take up the cudgels for his friend. Compare: stand up for …   Словарь американских идиом

  • take up the cudgels for someone — take up the cudgels for (someone/something) British & Australian, British & Australian to argue strongly in support of someone or something. Relatives have taken up the cudgels for two British women accused of murder …   New idioms dictionary

  • take up the cudgels for something — take up the cudgels for (someone/something) British & Australian, British & Australian to argue strongly in support of someone or something. Relatives have taken up the cudgels for two British women accused of murder …   New idioms dictionary

  • pick/take up the cudgels for — somewhat old fashioned : to fight in defense or support of (someone or something) She took up the cudgels for women s rights. • • • Main Entry: ↑cudgel …   Useful english dictionary

  • take up the cudgels against someone — take up the cudgels against (someone/something) British & Australian take up the cudgels for (someone/something) to argue strongly in support of someone or something. Environmental groups have taken up the cudgels against multinational companies …   New idioms dictionary

  • take up the cudgels against something — take up the cudgels against (someone/something) British & Australian take up the cudgels for (someone/something) to argue strongly in support of someone or something. Environmental groups have taken up the cudgels against multinational companies …   New idioms dictionary

  • take up the cudgels against — (someone/something) British & Australian take up the cudgels for (someone/something) to argue strongly in support of someone or something. Environmental groups have taken up the cudgels against multinational companies …   New idioms dictionary

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