go to the mattresses

The phrase "go to the mattresses" originated from the world of organized crime, particularly associated with Italian-American Mafia. It means to prepare for a fully-fledged conflict or go to war, often in the context of violent confrontations between rival gangs or families. In Mafia terms, "going to the mattresses" refers to factions sleeping on mattresses in safe houses or hideouts while engaging in an intense and prolonged battle against their adversaries. This phrase is often used metaphorically to describe taking a strong and determined stance in any challenging or confrontational situation, not limited to criminal activities.