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
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
On the stone steps, the tall, booted, hawk-nosed Earl watched a company of soldiers, sailors and airmen click to "present arms," heard a military band play the final strain of God Save the King.
From Time Magazine Archive
It is opened at once, and a detachment of small but well-set-up Japanese soldiers present arms.
From Empires and Emperors of Russia, China, Korea, and Japan Notes and Recollections by Monsignor Count Vay de Vaya and Luskod by Vay, P?ter
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.
