take up arms (against someone or something)

(redirected from take up arms against them)

take up arms (against someone or something)

To prepare for or engage in a physical conflict (by arming oneself) against someone or something. People from across the country are taking up arms against the dictatorship. I'm a peaceful person, but if war comes upon us, I will not hesitate to take up arms.

take up arms (against someone or something)

to prepare to fight against someone or something. Everyone in the town took up arms against the enemy. They were all so angry that the leader convinced them to take up arms.

take up arms

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.