PhrasesHub

Beat swords into ploughshares

    Definitions

      • promote peace and non-violence
        To encourage the transformation of weapons, typically swords, into tools that can be used for farming or other peaceful purposes, symbolizing a shift away from war and conflict towards peace and productivity. Can also be used figuratively to suggest a shift in mindset towards peaceful solutions rather than resorting to violence.

      • repurpose resources for peaceful use
        To suggest the idea of taking something that is typically used for destructive purposes, such as swords, and using it for something beneficial and productive, such as ploughshares for farming. Can also be used to encourage the redirection of resources and efforts towards peaceful endeavors rather than destructive ones.

      • reject militarism
        To reject the idea of war and militarism, and instead advocate for peace and non-violent solutions. Can also be used to criticize the glorification of war and violence, and promote a more peaceful and harmonious society.

    Examples of Beat swords into ploughshares

    • The government's goal for disarmament initiatives is to beat swords into ploughshares, to transform the nation's military capabilities into productive economic resources.

      The expression "beat swords into ploughshares" is a metaphorical depiction of a process that turns weapons into farming tools. In this example, it illustrates the idea of converting military resources into more positive and constructive aspects, such as agriculture, through disarmament efforts. The idiom highlights the notion of transforming elements of conflict into elements of peace.

    • The community's aim is to beat swords into ploughshares, by diverting funds earmarked for military procurement, into schemes for economic development and job creation.

      In this instance, "beat swords into ploughshares" denotes the conversion of military expenses into financially beneficial schemes that promote economic growth and employment opportunities. It exemplifies the thought of replacing weapons acquisitions with beneficial and constructive economic policies.

    • To beat swords into ploughshares means converting the destructive and violent legacy of conflict into sustainable and peaceful economic opportunities.

      This idiom is used here to shed light on how communities can cope with the aftermath of violent conflicts, and how the legacy of violence and destruction can be transformed into a more positive and productive outlook. By transforming weapons into farming tools, the idea is to replace violence with productivity and peace.

    • The international community is attempting to beat swords into ploughshares by reducing global defence budgets and investing in infrastructure, education, and healthcare.

      "Beat swords into ploughshares" here depicts a process of diverting military expenditure to essential infrastructure, education, and healthcare assignments to create a peaceful and productive economy. The term concentrates on the idea of replacing militarized policies with a more positive and productive economy that emphasizes investment in core social needs.

    • The nation's effort to beat swords into ploughshares is highlighted by the significant reduction in its defence budget over the past decade, and the consequent diversion of resources towards rural development projects.

      By employing "beating swords into ploughshares," this statement refers to the act of transforming resources that were previously allocated to military purposes into constructive development programs. Here, the term highlights the notion of freeing up resources from military expenditure and redirecting them towards rural development projects in order to create social and economic advantages.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "beat swords into ploughshares" is commonly used to convey the idea of promoting peace and non-violence. It is often used to encourage the transformation of weapons into tools for farming and other peaceful purposes, symbolizing a shift away from war and conflict towards peace and productivity. It can also be used figuratively to suggest a shift in mindset towards peaceful solutions rather than resorting to violence.

    Additionally, the idiom can also be used to suggest the repurposing of resources for peaceful use. This could mean taking something that is typically used for destructive purposes, such as swords, and using it for something beneficial and productive, such as ploughshares for farming. It can also be used to advocate for the redirection of resources and efforts towards peaceful endeavors rather than destructive ones.

    Overall, the idiom "beat swords into ploughshares" is a powerful and poignant phrase that promotes peace, rejects militarism, and encourages the repurposing of resources for the greater good of society.

    Origin of "Beat swords into ploughshares"

    The origin of the idiom "beat swords into ploughshares" can be traced back to the Bible, specifically the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament. In chapter 2, verse 4, it is written, "And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."

    The phrase has since become synonymous with promoting peace and non-violence, and has been used in various forms throughout history. It gained particular popularity during the Cold War, when it was often used in speeches and protests to advocate for nuclear disarmament and peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

    In modern times, the idiom continues to be used to promote peace and reject militarism, and has also been adopted by various organizations and movements focused on promoting non-violence and conflict resolution. Its powerful imagery of transforming weapons into tools for peaceful purposes remains relevant and impactful today.