English Explanatory Dictionary

go to the mattresses

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To go to war; to use ruthless tactics; to act without restraint.

Pronunciation

en-au-go to the mattresses.ogg

Word forms

go to the mattresses goes to the mattresses going to the mattresses went to the mattresses gone to the mattresses

Etymology

From Mario Puzo's gangster novel The Godfather (1969). Those involved in such a conflict might be expected to stay in hideouts where they would sleep on mattresses rather than in beds.

Related words

go to the mat
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