take up the cudgels
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
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Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Listed in Wiktionary’s “English idioms” category (retrieved 2026-07-29); definition pending editorial review. Figurative class: Metaphor (PIE-English corpus, CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31).
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Common questions
What does “take up the cudgels” mean?
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Is “take up the cudgels” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
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