put up a fight

USAGE SUMMARY

"put up a fight" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to resist or struggle against someone or something. Example: The boxer put up a good fight, but eventually lost the match. Another example: The animal put up a fierce fight when the hunters tried to capture it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They don't put up a fight.

The Guardian - Tech

"Don't put up a fight.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We need to put up a fight.

The Guardian

But some places put up a fight.

The New York Times

Scott did not put up a fight.

The New York Times - Magazine

We didn't put up a fight.

The New York Times - Sports

Vested interests, Russia especially, would put up a fight.

The Economist

He did not put up a fight, police officials said.

The New York Times

Her own husband put up a fight but lost.

The Economist

Ms. Black did not put up a fight.

The New York Times

It's easier not to put up a fight.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "put up a fight", consider the intensity of the resistance you want to convey. It implies more than just disagreement; it suggests a determined effort against opposition.

Common error

Avoid using "put up a fight" when the situation involves minor disagreements or simple objections. This phrase suggests a more significant struggle or opposition than is actually present.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "put up a fight" functions as an idiomatic expression, typically used as a verb phrase. It describes the action of resisting or opposing someone or something, often implying effort and determination. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "put up a fight" is a very common and correct idiomatic phrase used to describe resisting or struggling against someone or something. As Ludwig AI clearly indicates, its usage is grammatically sound. The examples from various sources, predominantly news outlets, show it in contexts ranging from physical altercations to political disagreements. While generally neutral, it's best suited for informal and news-related content, whereas, when writing academic papers, it should be preferred alternative phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

struggle against

Implies a difficult effort to overcome something, which could be physical or metaphorical.

resist strongly

Emphasizes the strength of resistance, but without necessarily implying a combative situation.

battle fiercely

Conveys a sense of intense and determined fighting.

offer resistance

This alternative focuses on the act of opposing something, lacking the intensity of a "fight".

refuse to yield

Highlights the unwillingness to surrender or give in, even under pressure.

stand one's ground

Highlights the act of defending a position or belief, rather than actively fighting.

make a stand

Emphasizes a firm decision to resist, often in a principled or moral context.

take a firm stance

Highlights the assertion of a belief or position, without necessarily implying direct conflict.

oppose vehemently

Focuses on strong opposition, particularly in verbal or argumentative contexts.

defend oneself

Specifically refers to protecting oneself from attack or criticism.

FAQs

How can I use "put up a fight" in a sentence?

You can use "put up a fight" to describe someone resisting or struggling against something. For example, "The team didn't "put up a fight", and lost the game".

What are some alternatives to "put up a fight"?

You can use alternatives like "offer resistance", "resist strongly", or "struggle against" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "put up a fight" in a formal context?

While "put up a fight" is widely understood, more formal alternatives such as "offer resistance" or "oppose vehemently" might be more appropriate in highly formal writing.

What does it mean when someone "doesn't put up a fight"?

If someone "doesn't put up a fight", it means they surrender or give in without resisting. This can imply a lack of effort or willingness to oppose something.