to put up a fight

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to give me your considered opinion concerning the interpretation of the expression in bold in the following sentence?

The boy put up a fight like a small bear, but at last we got him into the automobile and drove away. (O. Henry, “The Ransom of Red Chief”)

to put up a fight = fight with spirit

V.

[Barb_D]

Yes.

You may also see "He didn't put up much of a fight" which means the person offered little resistance.

It could refer to a physical struggle or to argument.In this case, of course, it was physical.