Offer resistance (3,2,1,5) Crossword Clue
Answer: PUT UP A FIGHT (11 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Offer resistance (3,2,1,5)" with 11 letters is "PUT UP A FIGHT".Put up a fight means to resist or oppose something, typically in a physical, verbal, or emotional way. It implies taking action to defend against an attack or challenge, showing determination and resistance, often in a struggle or conflict.
Why “Put Up A Fight” Fits
The clue asks for a phrase (3,2,1,5) meaning “offer resistance.” The answer, PUT UP A FIGHT, fits perfectly:
- Offer resistance: Put up a fight is a common English idiom meaning to resist strongly, defend oneself, or oppose force or pressure — exactly matching the clue’s definition.
- Direct match: The phrase matches the clue’s enumeration (3,2,1,5) precisely.
- Precise meaning: It expresses an act of defiance, struggle, or refusal to yield, whether physically, mentally, or metaphorically.
Put up a fight is a well-known idiomatic expression rooted in English usage since the late 19th century:
- Origin and usage: The phrase originated from boxing and combat language, where “put up” meant “mount or offer,” and “fight” referred to combat or struggle. Over time, it extended beyond literal confrontation to describe any form of determined resistance.
Contexts:
- Physical confrontation: “The boxer put up a good fight despite the odds.”
- Emotional or moral resilience: “She put up a fight against injustice.”
- Everyday obstacles: “They put up a fight to save the old building from demolition.”
Examples:
- “He put up a fight when they tried to evict him.”
- “The team put up a fight until the final whistle.”
- “She always puts up a fight when faced with challenges.”
In quick crosswords like “Offer resistance (3,2,1,5),” the clue functions as a definition-based phrase clue:
- Definition: “Offer resistance” is a direct definition of the idiom, leading straight to put up a fight.
- Phrase pattern: Common verb-based idioms formatted as (3,2,1,5) often include put up a fight, get on a roll, or run out of time.
- Clue structure: Quick crosswords favor simple yet recognizable idioms, particularly those describing emotions or actions. Here, the clue avoids trickery — it relies on solver familiarity with everyday speech.
- Style note: Clues defining effort or resistance typically align with phrasal idioms, since single verbs like resist (6) or oppose (6) are too short to match the clue’s enumeration.
