mat

doormat

Someone who meekly submits to mistreatment or humiliation by others. Jim had been a doormat his whole life until he went to that motivational speaker five years ago; now, he's one of the most respected men in the business.

roll out the welcome mat (for someone)

To welcome someone with a warm or elaborate display of friendliness and hospitality. My auntie always rolls out the welcome mat whenever we call around for a visit. The principal likes to roll out the welcome mat for new teachers every autumn, so they can start off the school year on a positive note.

put out the welcome mat (for someone)

To welcome someone with a warm or elaborate display of friendliness and hospitality. My auntie always puts out the welcome mat whenever we call around for a visit. The principal likes to put out the welcome mat for new teachers every autumn, so they can start of the school year on a positive note.

brush (something) under the mat

To ignore, deny, or conceal from public view or knowledge something that is embarrassing, unappealing, or damaging to one's reputation. The senator has been accused of trying to brush his former drug use under the mat. You need to stop brushing your problems under the mat. Nothing will get resolved like that!

sweep (something) under the mat

To ignore, deny, or conceal from public view or knowledge something that is embarrassing, unappealing, or damaging to one's reputation. The senator has been accused of trying to sweep his former drug use under the mat. You need to stop sweeping your problems under the mat. Nothing will get resolved like that!

sweep something under the carpet

1. Lit. to hide dirt by brushing it away under the edge of a carpet. He was in such a hurry with the cleaning that he just swept the dirt under the carpet. She swept the dirt under the carpet, hoping no one would find it.

2. Fig. to hide or ignore something. You made a mistake that you can't sweep under the carpet. Don't try to sweep it under the carpet. You are wrong!

sweep something under the carpet

to hide something embarrassing sweep something under the rug The problem is usually ignored or swept under the carpet.

go to the mat (for somebody/something)

to support someone or something very strongly When he believes in a project, he's willing to go to the mat for it.

sweep something under the carpet

(British, American & Australian) also sweep something under the mat/rug (American & Australian)

to try to hide a problem or keep a problem secret instead of dealing with it The incident has forced into the open an issue that the government would rather have swept under the carpet. The evidence was on film and the police couldn't just sweep it under the rug.

go to the mat

Fight until one side or another is victorious, as in The governor said he'd go to the mat for this bill. This term comes from wrestling and evokes the holding of an opponent when both contestants are down on the mat, the padded floor-covering used in matches. It has been used figuratively since about 1900.

welcome mat

A friendly welcome, as in They put out the welcome mat for all new members. This expression alludes to a doormat with the word "Welcome" printed on it. [Mid-1900]

doormat

n. a weak-willed person who is abused by others. Why do people treat me like a doormat?

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Lester	LES-tər	English
Adolf	AH-dawlf (German), AH:-dawlf (Dutch)	German, Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Czech, Ancient Germanic
Clyde	KLIED	English
Zerach	-	Biblical Hebrew
Decker	['dekə]
Eirenaios	-	Ancient Greek