take up the cudgels
English edit
Verb edit
take up the cudgels (third-person singular simple present takes up the cudgels, present participle taking up the cudgels, simple past took up the cudgels, past participle taken up the cudgels)
- To engage in a contest.
- (idiomatic, followed by on behalf of or for) to make a defence for someone or something; to intercede supportively.