Go to the mattresses Meaning in English

expression

US

GOH tuh THUH MAT-ruh-siz

UK

goh tuh THUH MAT-ruh-siz

Definition

To prepare for a serious conflict or confrontation, often used about getting ready for a tough fight or competition.

Usage & Nuances

This is an informal expression popularized by mobster movies like 'The Godfather'. It means readying oneself or a group for a difficult battle, not a literal mattress or sleep. Often used to describe fierce competition in business or politics.

• Spanish: prepararse para la guerra - ir a la lucha (figurado)
• Portuguese (BR): preparar-se para a guerra - entrar em confronto (figurado)
• Portuguese (PT): preparar-se para a guerra - entrar em confronto (figurado)
• Chinese (Simplified): 準備戰鬥 - 迎戰（比喻）
• Chinese (Traditional): 準備戰鬥 - 迎戰（比喻）
• Hindi: युद्ध के लिए तैयार होना (रूपक अर्थ में) - लड़ाई के लिए जाना
• Arabic: الاستعداد للحرب - الدخول في المواجهة (مجازيًا)
• Bengali: লড়াইয়ের জন্য প্রস্তুত হওয়া - কঠিন প্রতিযোগিতার জন্য প্রস্তুত হওয়া
• Russian: готовиться к серьёзной битве - идти на войну (переносное значение)
• Japanese: 徹底抗戦に備える - 戦いに備える
• Vietnamese: chuẩn bị cho một cuộc chiến lớn - sẵn sàng đối đầu
• Korean: 전면전을 준비하다 - 결전을 각오하다
• Turkish: şiddetli çatışmaya hazırlanmak - büyük savaş için hazırlanmak
• Urdu: بھرپور مقابلے کے لیے تیار ہونا - کڑے مقابلے کی تیاری کرنا
• Indonesian: bersiap untuk pertarungan besar - siap berkonfrontasi

Example Sentences

If the company keeps pushing, we may have to go to the mattresses.

basic

It's time to go to the mattresses and defend our idea.

basic

The two teams are ready to go to the mattresses for the championship.

basic

Whenever there's a big business rival, the boss tells everyone to go to the mattresses.

natural

We can't just give up now – it's time to go to the mattresses and fight for what matters.

natural

Rumor has it that management is ready to go to the mattresses if the union doesn't agree.

natural