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

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 beginning of the war England stood at "order arms."

From In the World War by Czernin von und zu Chudenitz, Ottokar Theobald Otto Maria, Graf

At roll call, each man, as his name or number and relief are called, will answer "Here," and come to an order arms.

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

At the command three, come to the order arms.

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