take up the cudgels
to make a defence for someone or something; to intercede supportively.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“She decided to take up the cudgels for her friend.”
“When the manager unfairly criticized the new intern, the supervisor took up the cudgels to defend her performance.”
“Recognizing the injustice of the new policy, the lawyer felt compelled to take up the cudgels on behalf of the marginalized community members.”
- 01
be taken ill
To become ill.
- 02
cross to take up
Alternative form of cross to bear.
- 03
forget to take one's medication this morning
To be annoyed or irritable, or to behave in an ill-mannered way, particularly in the morning.
- 04
get taken in
To be fooled; to fall for.
- 05
give and take
A process of compromise or accommodation.
- 06
give someone an inch and someone will take a mile
Alternative form of give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
- 07
have one's name taken
To receive a yellow card.
- 08
I take it
Used to express one's understanding of another's position.
Last updated August 10, 2026