present arms

noun

pre·​sent arms pri-ˈzent- 

1

: a position in the manual of arms in which the rifle is held vertically in front of the body

2

: a command to assume the position of present arms or to give a hand salute

Examples of present arms in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The guards at Schönbrunn were forbidden to present arms and were instructed to look at the ground when her carriage passed. — David Netto, Town & Country, 7 Aug. 2019

Word History

Etymology

from the command present arms!

First Known Use

circa 1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for present arms

• firearms
• alarms
• disarms
• forearms
• gendarmes
• charms
• farms
• harms