war footing
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of war footing
First recorded in 1890–95
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.
But the reality was that the city was on a war footing, a 4-foot wall of sand and rows of sandbags blocking off an ocean determined to reach the sidewalks nonetheless.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said on Friday that the city, which is far from the front line of fighting between soldiers, was in a "very dramatic situation" and should now be on a war footing.
From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have been on a war footing since Operation Epic Fury launched Feb. 28.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 10, 2026
He ticks through a list: Russia’s economy is on a war footing; the country is stockpiling artillery shells and tanks; it’s looking to expand its ranks to 1.5 million men.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 12, 2026
Lockheed was on a war footing, punching out aircraft for the Army Air Corps and the Royal Air Force.
From "Unbroken" by Laura Hillenbrand
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
