take up the cudgels

== English == === Verb === 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. ==== Derived terms ==== take up the cudgels for ==== Related terms ==== take up the cudgel for