Let’s explore the saying ‘up in arms’ together, understanding its meaning, origins, and real-life examples.
Meaning of the Idiom
The idiom ‘up in arms’ is used to describe a state of intense anger, outrage, or protest. It implies a strong and vehement reaction to a perceived injustice, offense, or threat. The phrase conveys the image of people raising their weapons or arms in defiance or rebellion, symbolizing their readiness to fight or resist. Figuratively, it represents a collective expression of discontent or opposition, often accompanied by public outcry or protest.
Origin of the Idiom
The origin of the phrase ‘up in arms’ can be traced back to medieval warfare, where people would literally take up arms (weapons) in times of conflict or rebellion. The expression emerged in the English language in the 16th century, reflecting the idea of armed resistance or opposition. Over time, the idiom came to be used metaphorically to describe a state of intense anger or protest, even in the absence of actual weapons. It remains a vivid and evocative expression of passionate opposition or outrage.
10 Idiom Examples in Everyday Situations
1. The community was up in arms over the proposed construction of a landfill near their neighborhood.
2. The employees were up in arms about the sudden change in company policy regarding working hours.
3. The residents were up in arms when they discovered that their water supply was contaminated.
4. The students were up in arms over the decision to cut funding for arts programs at their school.
5. The environmentalists were up in arms about the government’s plans to open up protected land for development.
6. The citizens were up in arms when their elected officials proposed a significant increase in taxes.
7. The workers were up in arms over the unfair treatment they received from their employer.
8. The fans were up in arms when their favorite television show was abruptly canceled.
9. The activists were up in arms about the government’s failure to address climate change.
10. The customers were up in arms after discovering hidden fees on their bills.
5 Quotes Featuring the Idiom
1. “When faced with injustice, it’s natural to be up in arms, but it’s important to channel that anger into constructive action.” – Unknown
2. “Being up in arms is a powerful expression of collective discontent, but it’s only the first step towards meaningful change.” – Unknown
3. “Sometimes, being up in arms is necessary to shake things up and challenge the status quo.” – Unknown
4. “When the people are up in arms, it’s a sign that their voices cannot be ignored any longer.” – Unknown
5. “Being up in arms is a testament to the power of collective action and the strength of unified voices.” – Unknown
Idioms Starting From Letter U
Each and every letter of the English alphabet has hundreds of idioms. As in this post, we are talking about the idiom beginning with the letter U. There are many other idioms that also start with the ‘U’, which can be useful to you. We have gathered all the U-starting idiomatic expressions on a single page to make it easy for you to find the best and most useful idioms starting with the letter U.
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