order arms

American  

noun

1. (in the manual of arms in close-order drill) a position in which the rifle is held at the right side, with its butt on the ground.

2. (as an interjection) the command to move the rifle to this position.

---

order arms British  

interjection

1. military the order in drill to hold the rifle close to the right side with the butt resting on the ground

---

Etymology

Origin of order arms

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

order arms

Yes, they can order arms, ships and planes from others.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 15, 2018

Instantly the Union soldiers shifted from order arms to carry arms, the salute of honor.

From Washington Post

I'm the old Hebrew On a tear; I order arms, My heart is sair.

From Gaudeamus! Humorous Poems by Scheffel, Joseph Victor von

Here we form fours, form two deep, slope arms, order arms, present arms, trail arms, ground arms, take up arms, pile arms, unpile arms, move to the right in fours, by the left, left wheel.

From Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, November 11, 1914 by Various

Parade, Rest can be executed only from order arms, and the command Attention follows Parade, Rest.

From Military Instructors Manual by Schoonmaker, Oliver