up in arms

Idioms  

1. Angry, rebellious, as in The town was up in arms over the state's plan to allow commercial flights at the air base. This idiom originally referred to an armed rebellion and was so used from the late 1500s. Its figurative use dates from about 1700.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

up in arms

“It amazes me that travelers are not up in arms about the way they get treated,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Now, a proposed cap would pump the brakes—and students are up in arms.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 3, 2026

U.S. voters aren’t the only ones up in arms about affordability.

From Barron's ● Jan. 8, 2026

The rapper’s overhaul of the dwelling saw it reduced to little more than a concrete shell, decimating almost all of Ando’s original design—and leaving design lovers up in arms over its destruction.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 11, 2025

I wait too because Mom’s just come into the bedroom from the shower, and the first word poised to come out of my mouth would have had her up in arms.

From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali