A phrase denoting a Mafia family’s preparation for war with one or more rival families. To prepare for wartime, a mob family sets up headquarters in various secret apartments. Mob soldiers then move into these apartments, which, when not fighting, they use as hideouts until the war is over. By staying in apartments and “going to the mattresses,” the soldiers can prevent rival families from tracking their movements, and protect their own personal families from violence.
Get the entire The Godfather LitChart as a printable PDF.
Going to the Mattresses Term Timeline in The Godfather
The timeline below shows where the term Going to the Mattresses appears in The Godfather. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 6
...around with Paulie on the pretext of scoping out suitable places where they can “ go to the mattresses ” (prepare for mob war by giving soldiers mattress-filled apartments to uses as hideouts). They...
(full context)
