take up arms
idiom
: to pick up weapons and become ready to fight
They took up arms to defend their city.
The rebels are taking up arms against their own government.
Examples of take up arms in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The move comes two days after Abiy urges citizens to take up arms to defend themselves against TPLF.
—
CNN, 11 Nov. 2022
Pawnee Scouts, who frequently had to take up arms against other indigenous people.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2022
Huynh did take up arms, according to his fiancee’s family, in addition to training Ukrainian troops and bringing in medical supplies.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 12 July 2022
So long as Americans do not take up arms for a violent group that opposes the U.S. government, there are few restrictions.
—Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for take up arms
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
CNN, 11 Nov. 2022
Pawnee Scouts, who frequently had to take up arms against other indigenous people.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2022
Huynh did take up arms, according to his fiancee’s family, in addition to training Ukrainian troops and bringing in medical supplies.
—Alex Horton, Washington Post, 12 July 2022
So long as Americans do not take up arms for a violent group that opposes the U.S. government, there are few restrictions.
—Anchorage Daily News, 14 Mar. 2022
See All Example Sentences for take up arms
Cite this Entry
“Take up arms.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/take%20up%20arms. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share