take up arms

Idioms and Phrases

Also, take up the cudgels . Become involved in a conflict, either physical or verbal, as in The Kurds took up arms against the Iranians at least two centuries ago , or Some believe it's the vice-president's job to take up the cudgels for the president . The first term originated in the 1400s in the sense of going to war. The variant, alluding to cudgels as weapons, has been used figuratively since the mid-1600s and is probably obsolescent.

Example Sentences

When the rule of law and political transition fail to bring about change, disenfranchised and marginalized groups take up arms.

From The Daily Beast

More than a year ago, the Red Skull appeared in a video on the Web urging fighters to take up arms against Maliki.

From The Daily Beast

As much as dad bloggers may take up arms against offensive ads, shows, and sites, they also celebrate when brands get it right.

From The Daily Beast

Many of them share the same goal: to return to their homeland and take up arms against Bashar al-Assad.

From The Daily Beast

When the siege of Aleppo began, his neighbors were eventually forced to take up arms against the regime or flee the city.

From The Daily Beast

That Lawrence, whom he looked upon almost as a son, should take up arms against the South was to him a source of endless regret.

From Project Gutenberg

We have decided to take up arms because the liberties of the people and the interests of the nobles are equally threatened.

From Project Gutenberg

What made their situation the more critical was the reluctance of the militia and volunteers to take up arms.

From Project Gutenberg

As for the others who did not appear, Conrad gave the cross to those who would take up arms against them.

From Project Gutenberg

Father swore that no daughter of his should marry a man who would take up arms against the South.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• defy
• overthrow
• renounce
• resist
• revolt
• secede