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.

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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

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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

At the command two and three, come to the right shoulder as from order arms.

From The Plattsburg Manual A Handbook for Military Training by Ellis, Olin Oglesby

After parting with the color, the color guard is brought to order arms by command of the senior member, who is placed as the right man of the guard.

From Manual of Military Training Second, Revised Edition by Moss, James A. (James Alfred)

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

From Gaudeamus! Humorous Poems by Scheffel, Joseph Victor von