Up in arms
Suggest a CorrectionMeaning
Riled up or ready to fight, hot and mad.
Origin
From 16th-century England, tied to war; 'up in arms' meant revolt, slang by 1570s in a play for rage. A 1600s pamphlet uses it for a riot.
Variants
- In arms
Usage Examples
- They're up in arms over the new rule.
- Up in arms; he's mad as hell.
- In arms about that cut-fight!
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