Dictionary

put up one's dukes en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Possibly by analogy to a king or other ruler summoning his dukes, and by extension the duke's knights or other soldiers, to battle an enemy. Another possibility is Cockney rhyming slang as explained at duke. It could also be a convoluted--though erroneous--reference to the 9th Marquess of Queensberry (after whom the rules for modern boxing were initially named).

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) To raise one's clenched fists in front of one's body and stand in a threatening or defiant manner, in preparation for a fistfight.
   • The proceedings of the State Democratic Convention, held at Turner Hall, yesterday, were disgraceful enough to bring a blush even to the cheek of a Democrat. "Liar," "snide," "put up your dukes, if you want to fight," catcalls, hooting, and yelling filled up a greater part of the deliberations of the august body. 1886, Edward Money, The Truth about America, page 206:
2. (broadly, idiomatic) To take firm action or to show oneself to be committed to such action, as when competing in a sporting event or other contest.
   • Well you're a real tough cookie with a long history Of breaking little hearts like the one in me That's okay, let's see how you do it Put up your dukes and let's get down to it 1980, Eddie Schwartz, “Hit Me with Your Best Shot”, in Crimes of Passion, performed by Pat Benatar:
   • The NBC reporter who came to the match on Wednesday told Lafferty "Come on, put up your dukes, we want to see some blood." 2008, Jonathan Schaeffer, One Jump Ahead: Computer perfection at checkers, →ISBN, page 401:

Forms

Relateds

duke it out