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

Journal cameras went inside the homes of LRU members to understand why regular Lithuanian citizens would take up arms and dedicate their free evenings and weekends to prepare for war.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 26, 2025

I ask one fighter, Thiha, why he has chosen to take up arms.

From BBC • May 23, 2024

“I will kiss these guys’ feet to the bitter end, as long as they just stand, take up arms and protect my daughters,” Yalunka said.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 21, 2024

But his swift decision to take up arms was a warning to us all.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2024

On the first form, I answer several variations on the questions of whether I’m a communist, a criminal, or a terrorist and whether I would take up arms to defend the United States.

From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon

Related Words

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