present arms
Americannoun
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a position of salute in the manual of arms in which the rifle is held in both hands vertically in front of the body, with the muzzle upward and the trigger side forward.
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(for troops in formation not under arms) the hand salute.
Etymology
Origin of present arms
First recorded in 1750–60
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“I gave the command to present arms, and we raised our sabers for Kennedy to walk under, like a tunnel,” Broadus said.
From Washington Post ● Nov. 25, 2013
Motor horns honked, grey-green soldiers snapped to present arms, and a fleet of eight cars, preceded and followed by bicycle policemen, swept through the streets.
From Time Magazine Archive
At a booming command, some 4,800 white-gloved hands snapped 2,400 rifles to "present arms."
From Time Magazine Archive
One senior Bonn diplomat called the timing of Rust's flight particularly unfortunate "against the background of the present arms discussions and everything else at stake in the world at the moment."
From Time Magazine Archive
The Volunteers present arms, the bishop bows his powdered head, while a smile of triumphant vanity curls the corner of his lip, and he gives the order to proceed.
From My Lords of Strogue, Vol. I (of III) A Chronicle of Ireland, from the Convention to the Union by Lewis Wingfield
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
