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

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)

Seeing the men mirthful at his expense, the colonel good-humoredly gave the command to order arms.

From The Story of Cooperstown by Birdsall, Ralph

Should the piece be inspected without handling, each man executes order arms as soon as the captain passes to the next, man.

From Manual for Noncommissioned Officers and Privates of Infantry of the Army of the United States, 1917 To be used by Engineer companies (dismounted) and Coast Artillery companies for Infantry instruction and training by United States War Department