English

Verb

put up one's dukes

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.
   • 1886, Edward Money, The Truth about America, page 206:

     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.

2. (idiomatic, by extension) To take firm action or to show oneself to be committed to such action, as when competing in a sporting event or other contest.
   • 2008, Jonathan Schaeffer, One Jump Ahead: Computer perfection at checkers, ISBN 9780387765754, page 401:

     The NBC reporter who came to the match on Wednesday told Lafferty "Come on, put up your dukes, we want to see some blood."

Related terms

• duke it out