put up one's dukes

listen to the pronunciation of put up one's dukes
English - Turkish
1. Yumruklarını havaya kaldırmak2. Savaşmaya, dövüşmeye hazırlıklı olmak
English - English
An invitation to, or the acceptance or encouragement of, a fistfight, where the "dukes" are the fists of one of the fighters and "put up" means to raise the fists
An invitation to, or the acceptance or encouragement of, a verbal or written argument, or a contest including a sporting competition
(deyim) 1. 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.2. To take firm action or to show oneself to be committed to such action, as when competing in a sporting event or other contest
put up one's dukes

    Turkish pronunciation

    pût ʌp wʌnz duks

    Pronunciation

    /ˈpo͝ot ˈəp ˈwənz ˈdo͞oks/ /ˈpʊt ˈʌp ˈwʌnz ˈduːks/

    Etymology

    () Several theories exist. One is 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 is by Cockney rhyming slang (see duke).
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