to stand up to the rack

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

A metaphorical expression of the same meaning as the like choice phrases, 'to come to the scratch;' 'to toe the mark.'


I begun a new campaign at Washington. I had hard work, but I stood up to the rack, fodder or no fodder.--Crockett, Tour, p. 137.

By making a great rush upon these free-thinkers, we can whip them back into the party, and make them stand up to the rack, fodder or no fodder.--Ibid., p. 212.

It was the hottest night's work ever old Wolf undertook and it tuck a mighty chance of hollerin' to make him stand up to his rack' as well as he did.--Maj. Jones's Courtship, p. 64.

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