Take it to the mat

Posted by Bruce Kahl September 13, 2005In reply to Take it to the mat posted by Dee on September 13, 2005

What is the meaning of "take it to the mat"? How does that differ from "Take it to the mattress" (The Godfather)?

It is mat as in a wrestling mat. "Take it to the mat" means an agressive stance of some sort.

The mattresses in the Godfather refer to the ones you sleep on.

"Time to go to the mattreses"
During mafia wars, it was not safe for members of opposing sides to sleep at home where their enemies can find them. So they would buy a bunch of used mattresses and put them in an empty warehouse or other hideout.