What Does "Put up One's Dukes" Mean?
"Put up one's dukes" is an English idiom. It means "to raise one's fists in a defensive or confrontational manner, often in preparation for a physical fight or altercation."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "put up one's dukes" used in a sentence:- He put up his dukes when the aggressive stranger threatened him in the alley.
- The boxer was ready to put up his dukes and defend his title in the championship match.
- Putting up one's dukes is a natural response to protect oneself in a threatening situation.
What Is an Idiom?
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Put up One's Dukes" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.
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