up in arms

Idioms and Phrases

Angry, rebellious, as in The town was up in arms over the state's plan to allow commercial flights at the air base . This idiom originally referred to an armed rebellion and was so used from the late 1500s. Its figurative use dates from about 1700.

Example Sentences

"People in Llanelli are up in arms," said the mayor, who said he stayed overnight at the protest camp.

From BBC

Some residents in the neighborhood south of Wilshire Boulevard are up in arms about the scale of the project that is designated to fill a parking lot at 125-129 S. Linden Drive between a five-story office building and low-rise apartment buildings.

From Los Angeles Times

So why is the religious right up in arms?

From Salon

Ontarians, for the most part, are not up in arms, with access to alcohol at hundreds of wineries, grocery stores and beer stores that remain open.

From BBC

One worker said: “It's broken, the system. If Joe Public knew, they'd be up in arms. But it's so broken.”

From BBC