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
A guard of honor of Royal Marines stood at present arms on deck and the band played The Star-Spangled Banner.
From Time Magazine Archive
He hardly looked at the passers-by, his nose seemed to threaten the heavens, and he was astonished that the sentinel on guard at the barrier did not present arms to him.
From The Barber of Paris by Kock, Charles Paul de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
