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go to the mattresses. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
go to the mattresses, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
go to the mattresses in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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go to the mattresses will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
go to the mattresses, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
From Mario Puzo's gangster novel The Godfather (1969). Those involved in such a conflict might be expected to stay in hideouts where they would sleep on mattresses rather than in beds.
Pronunciation
Verb
go to the mattresses (third-person singular simple present goes to the mattresses, present participle going to the mattresses, simple past went to the mattresses, past participle gone to the mattresses)
- (idiomatic) To go to war; to use ruthless tactics; to act without restraint.
1969, Mario Puzo, The Godfather, Putnam, page 132:I want Sollozzo. If not, it's all-out war. We'll go to the mattresses.
- 2008, "Transcript: CNN LARRY KING LIVE—Interview with Senator Hillary Clinton," CNN analyst Jamal Simmons speaking, 21 Apr.:
- Now, when you're fighting Republicans . . . Democrats are all rallied around and ready to go ahead and go to the mattresses.
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