mat

(as) dry as a Pommy's (bath) towel

slang Extremely thirsty. "Pommy" (sometimes spelled "Pommie") is a potentially offensive Australian term for a British person, and this expression mocks their perceived subpar bathing habits. Primarily heard in Australia. Can I get some water, mate? I'm dry as a Pommy's bath towel. We were as dry as a Pommie's towel after working out in the sun all day, so we all went to the pub for a pint.

See also: dry, towel

be on the mat

1. To be in a position to face a reprimand from someone. When my team lost that big client, I knew I'd be on the mat once the boss heard. I hope you proofread this thoroughly because you'll be on the mat if there are any errors. Man, if I come home drunk again, I'll be on the mat with my wife.

2. To be under discussion or consideration. We don't have time to discuss those issues, but don't worry, they'll be on the mat the next time we meet. Come on, I know the open position in marketing was on the mat in that meeting. Did my name come up? The issue of budget decreases was on the mat throughout the board meeting.

See also: mat, on

brush (something) under the mat

To ignore, deny, or conceal from public view or knowledge something that is embarrassing, unappealing, or damaging to one's reputation. The senator has been accused of trying to brush his former drug use under the mat. You need to stop brushing your problems under the mat. Nothing will get resolved like that! I was so mortified by my mistake that I immediately tried to brush it under the mat.

See also: brush, mat

doormat

Someone who meekly submits to mistreatment or humiliation by others. Jim had been a doormat his whole life until he went to that motivational speaker five years ago. Now, he's one of the most respected men in the business. This is a tricky situation. I want to help them, but I don't want to be a doormat, either. I just don't know where to draw the line. The CEO of the company is an arrogant jerk who treats his employees like doormats.

go to the mat for (someone or something)

To give someone or something one's full support; to fight for someone or something until the very end. We firmly believe that she is in the right on this matter, and we're ready to go to the mat for her in court if necessary. Many members of the party have said that they'll go to the mat for this bill. While you hate the idea of this big construction project and refuse to go to the mat for it, you should know that most of the townspeople have been very vocal in their support of it

See also: for, go, mat, to

lay out the welcome mat (for one)

To welcome one with an extensive or elaborate display of friendliness and hospitality. My auntie always lays out the welcome mat whenever we visit. The principal likes to lay out the welcome mat for new teachers so they can start off the school year on a positive note.

See also: lay, mat, out, welcome

on the mat

1. In a position to face a reprimand from someone. When my team lost that big client, the boss called me on the mat.

2. Under discussion or consideration. We don't have time to discuss those issues, but don't worry, they'll be on the mat the next time we meet.

See also: mat, on

put out the welcome mat (for someone)

To welcome someone with a warm or elaborate display of friendliness and hospitality. My auntie always puts out the welcome mat whenever we call around for a visit. The principal likes to put out the welcome mat for new teachers every autumn, so they can start of the school year on a positive note.

See also: mat, out, put, welcome

roll out the welcome mat (for someone)

To welcome someone with a warm or elaborate display of friendliness and hospitality. My auntie always rolls out the welcome mat whenever we call around for a visit. The principal likes to roll out the welcome mat for new teachers every autumn, so they can start off the school year on a positive note.

See also: mat, out, roll, welcome

sweep (something) under the mat

To ignore, deny, or conceal from public view or knowledge something that is embarrassing, unappealing, or damaging to one's reputation. The senator has been accused of trying to sweep his former drug use under the mat. You need to stop sweeping your problems under the mat. Nothing will get resolved like that!

See also: mat, sweep

take (someone) to the mat

To confront or argue with someone (about some issue). An allusion to the sport of wrestling, in which competitors try to grapple each other onto a mat to pin them or make them submit. The senator took the president to the mat about the tax plan's negative impact on working-class citizens.

See also: mat, take, to

welcome mat

1. Literally, a small mat laid out in front of the door to one's house on which to wipe the dirt from one's shoes, typically with "Welcome" or some other greeting printed on it. After living in an apartment for so long, the first thing I wanted to buy when I moved into a proper house was a welcome mat. You don't need to take your shoes off, just give them a good wipe on the welcome mat.

2. A friendly, welcoming attitude or gesture. Sometimes used ironically or sarcastically. The town is rolling out the welcome mat to competitors from all over the world for its annual triathlon this weekend. You're putting out the welcome mat for cyber criminals if you post your personal details online.

See also: mat, welcome

welcoming mat

1. Literally, a small mat laid out in front of the door to one's house on which to wipe the dirt from one's shoes, typically with "Welcome" or some other greeting printed on it. After living in an apartment for so long, the first thing I wanted to buy when I moved into a proper house was a welcoming mat. You don't need to take your shoes off, just give them a good wipe on the welcoming mat.

2. A friendly, welcoming attitude or gesture. Sometimes used ironically or sarcastically. The town is rolling out the welcoming mat to competitors from all over the world for its annual triathlon this weekend. You're putting out the welcoming mat for cyber criminals if you post your personal details online.

See also: mat, welcome

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

go to the mat

Fight until one side or another is victorious, as in The governor said he'd go to the mat for this bill. This term comes from wrestling and evokes the holding of an opponent when both contestants are down on the mat, the padded floor-covering used in matches. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.

See also: go, mat, to

welcome mat

A friendly welcome, as in They put out the welcome mat for all new members. This expression alludes to a doormat with the word "Welcome" printed on it. [Mid-1900]

See also: mat, welcome

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

go to the mat

mainly AMERICAN

If someone goes to the mat, they fight very fiercely about something. Erickson said he will go to the mat to save parks in the city. This was a cause that Greens, Socialists and a majority of Liberals were willing to go to the mat for. Note: This expression refers to a wrestler who fights fiercely and is willing to risk a fall.

See also: go, mat, to

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

go to the mat

vigorously engage in an argument or dispute, typically on behalf of a particular person or cause.

The mat referred to is the thick mat in a gym on which wrestling is practised.

1924 P. G. Wodehouse Leave it to Psmith I…heard…you and Aunt Constance going to the mat about poor old Phyllis.

See also: go, mat, to

on the mat

being reprimanded by someone in authority. informal

This idiom is a military reference: the orderly room mat was where a soldier accused of some misdemeanour would stand before the commanding officer.

See also: mat, on

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

go to the ˈmat (with somebody) (for somebody/something)

(American English, informal) support or defend somebody/something in an argument with somebody: We went to the mat for him because he’d helped us in the past.

See also: go, mat, to

take somebody/something to the ˈmat

(American English, informal) to get involved in an argument with somebody/something: He took them to the mat on that issue.

Both of these idioms come from the sport of wrestling, in which two people fight by holding each other and trying to force the other person to the ground or mat.

See also: mat, somebody, something, take, to

lay, put, roll, etc. out the ˈwelcome mat (for somebody)

(especially American English) make somebody feel welcome; try to attract visitors, etc: The country has put out the welcome mat for international investors.

See also: mat, out, welcome

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

doormat

n. a weak-willed person who is abused by others. Why do people treat me like a doormat?

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.