take up the cudgels
US /teɪk ʌp ðə ˈkʌdʒəlz/
UK /teɪk ʌp ðə ˈkʌdʒəlz/
1.
to defend someone or something vigorously
:
•
She decided to take up the cudgels for her colleague who was unfairly dismissed.
•
It's time for someone to take up the cudgels against this injustice.