- Meaning
- This idiom describes being extremely angry, upset, or ready to protest or fight about an issue, as if people are taking up arms to battle. It conveys intense indignation or collective outrage, often used in social, political, or community contexts to highlight strong opposition or agitation. The phrase carries a tone of fervor, urgency, or dramatic resistance, reflecting cultural recognition of passionate dissent and the human tendency to rally against perceived wrongs. It resonates in scenarios of controversy or injustice, capturing the heat of collective anger, and its martial imagery adds a layer of historical intensity, evoking armed rebellion. The idiom often implies a unified or vocal response, making it a powerful metaphor for mobilizing against a cause or grievance.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in 16th-century England, rooted in military language where ‘taking up arms’ meant preparing for battle, as seen in medieval warfare records. Its metaphorical use emerged in the 17th century, reflecting political and religious unrest, with an early appearance in John Milton’s *Areopagitica* (1644): ‘The people are up in arms.’ The idiom gained traction in the 18th century, as seen in Samuel Johnson’s essays on public unrest. Its use grew in 19th-century British and American literature, particularly during revolutionary and labor movements, with Charles Dickens’ *Bleak House* (1853) using it for social outrage. The phrase’s adoption was amplified in the 20th century through media, notably in *The New York Times* coverage of protests. Its spread to Commonwealth English came through British influence, and its vivid imagery, evoking armed uprising, and its applicability to anger ensured its enduring use across English-speaking cultures, from political rallies to community disputes.
- Variants
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- Up in arms
- Get up in arms
- All up in arms
- Rise up in arms
- Examples
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- The community was up in arms over the proposed factory closure.
- Get up in arms if they cut our funding, but stay calm for now.
- All up in arms, the staff protested the unfair policy change.
- Rise up in arms, they did, against the new tax hike.
- Up in arms, the fans booed the referee’s bad call.
- The team was up in arms when their project was canceled.
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