To throw down the glove

Glove \Glove\ (gl[u^]v), n. [OE. glove, glofe, AS. gl[=o]f; akin
   to Icel. gl[=o]fi, cf. Goth. l[=o]fa palm of the hand, Icel.
   l[=o]fi.]
   [1913 Webster]
   1. A cover for the hand, or for the hand and wrist, with a
      separate sheath for each finger. The latter characteristic
      distinguishes the glove from the mitten.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A boxing glove.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Boxing glove}. See under {Boxing}.

   {Glove fight}, a pugilistic contest in which the fighters
      wear boxing gloves.

   {Glove money} or {Glove silver}.
      (a) A tip or gratuity to servants, professedly to buy
          gloves with.
      (b) (Eng. Law.) A reward given to officers of courts;
          also, a fee given by the sheriff of a county to the
          clerk of assize and judge's officers, when there are
          no offenders to be executed.

   {Glove sponge} (Zool.), a fine and soft variety of commercial
      sponges ({Spongia officinalis}).

   {To be hand and glove with}, to be intimately associated or
      on good terms with. "Hand and glove with traitors." --J.
      H. Newman.

   {To handle without gloves}, to treat without reserve or
      tenderness; to deal roughly with. [Colloq.]

   {To take up the glove}, to accept a challenge or adopt a
      quarrel.

   {To throw down the glove}, to challenge to combat.
      [1913 Webster]