take up arms

Idioms  

1. Also, take up the cudgels. Become involved in a conflict, either physical or verbal, as in The Kurds took up arms against the Iranians at least two centuries ago, or Some believe it's the vice-president's job to take up the cudgels for the president. The first term originated in the 1400s in the sense of going to war. The variant, alluding to cudgels as weapons, has been used figuratively since the mid-1600s and is probably obsolescent.

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Example Sentences

The universal message of Purim is prayer for the protective hand of God when confronted with evil, and the importance of men and women willing to take up arms to confront that evil.

From The Wall Street Journal

Separatist fighters in the country's two English-speaking regions - the North-West and the South-West - took up arms in 2017 calling for the creation of a breakaway state called Ambazonia.

From BBC

Many who had never held a weapon before rushed to take up arms.

From BBC

"In the country's most difficult time, Kozubenko took up arms to defend his native land," the Ukrainian Sports Comittee said when announcing his death.

From BBC

Another survey found 59% said they probably or definitely wouldn’t take up arms to defend their country.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• defy
• overthrow
• renounce
• resist
• revolt
• secede