noun
dukes
noun
1
(slang) Fists, especially when raised to fight.
"He put up his dukes and squared off against the bully."
How to Use Dukes
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSlang for fists, used mainly in the set phrase "put up your dukes."
When to use it
Informal and somewhat dated/theatrical.
Common pairings
put up your dukes
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He put up his _____ and squared off against the bully.