take up the cudgel for

verb

To make a defense for someone or something, on behalf of another person.

Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

verbtake up the cudgel for (third-person singular simple present takes up the cudgel for, present participle taking up the cudgel for, simple past took up the cudgel for, past participle taken up the cudgel for)

present singular third person takes up the cudgel for · participle present taking up the cudgel for · past took up the cudgel for · participle past taken up the cudgel for · alternative take up the cudgels for

  1. idiomaticTo make a defense for someone or something, on behalf of another person.
Cite this entry
APA

take up the cudgel for. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20up%20the%20cudgel%20for

MLA

“take up the cudgel for.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20up%20the%20cudgel%20for. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “take up the cudgel for,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/take%20up%20the%20cudgel%20for.

Source: take up the cudgel for on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.