PhrasesHub

To take up arms

    Definitions

      • to prepare for war or violence
        to ready oneself for a conflict or battle, often in a literal sense of arming oneself with weapons

      • to engage in a fight or struggle
        to actively participate in a conflict or dispute, often with the implication of using force or aggression

    Examples of To take up arms

    • The revolutionary leader urged his followers to take up arms and fight against the oppressive government.

      This example uses the idiom in a literal sense, referring to the act of physically picking up weapons to engage in combat. It is used to convey the idea of actively resisting or rebelling against authority.

    • The survivors have to take up arms if they want to fend off the hordes of zombies.

      In this example, the idiom is used in a more figurative sense, as the survivors are not literally picking up arms to fight, but instead are using whatever means necessary to defend themselves against the zombie threat. It still implies a sense of action and resistance.

    • After years of peaceful negotiations, the two sides finally agreed to lay down their arms.

      Here, the idiom is used in reverse, indicating an end to violence and conflict. By "laying down their arms", the parties involved are signaling a willingness to disarm and pursue more diplomatic means of resolving their differences.

    • She refused to take up arms and become involved in the conflict, choosing instead to remain a neutral observer.

      This example shows how the idiom can also be used figuratively to describe a decision to avoid or refuse participation in a particular activity or conflict. By "taking up arms" in this sense, it implies actively participating in the conflict or taking a side, which is something the person in the example wants to avoid.

    • During the war, many young men were forced to take up arms and fight for their country.

      In this example, 'to take up arms' is used as a phrasal verb to mean 'to begin to fight' or 'to pick up weapons and become a soldier'. This idiom is commonly used in historical contexts to describe people's actions in times of war.

    • The rebels vowed to take up arms against the oppressive government and fight for their freedom.

      Here, 'to take up arms' again refers to picking up weapons and beginning a fight. However, in this context, the rebels are using this action as a political statement in their fight for freedom.

    • Despite her pacifist beliefs, Sarah found herself forced to take up arms in order to defend her village from attack.

      In this example, the idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is forced to abandon their beliefs or principles in order to defend themselves. Sarah's pacifist beliefs do not allow her to harm others, but in this instance, she has no choice but to pick up arms in order to defend her village.

    • After years of peaceful protest, the activists finally decided to take up arms and use violence in their fight for justice.

      Here, the idiom 'to take up arms' is used to signify a significant shift in the activists' approach. They have previously been peaceful in their protest, but now they are willing to use violence in order to achieve their goal. This move is often seen as a last resort in cases where peaceful protest has been ineffective.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "to take up arms" can be used to convey the act of preparing for war or violence, as well as engaging in a fight or struggle. It is often used to emphasize the readiness for conflict or the active involvement in a dispute.

    Origin of "To take up arms"

    The origin of the idiom "to take up arms" can be traced back to the literal act of arming oneself for battle. Throughout history, individuals and groups have taken up arms as a means of defending themselves or asserting their power. This act of physically wielding weapons has become synonymous with preparing for conflict or engaging in a fight.

    The idiom has also been used in a more figurative sense to depict the readiness to engage in a struggle or dispute. This extension of the original meaning reflects the idea of actively taking a stand or participating in a conflict, whether it be a physical altercation or a metaphorical battle of ideas. Overall, the origins of "to take up arms" stem from the literal act of arming oneself for war, and the idiom has evolved to encompass a broader range of confrontational scenarios.