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Thesaurus: put up one's dukes

put up one's dukes (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. (idiomatic, by extension) To take firm action or to show o…

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  1. put up one's dukes (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. (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.