English idiom

up in arms

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

angry and protesting, ready to fight

Why this phrase?

Soldiers raising their weapons picture a group ready for combat; anger at a decision is shown the same way.

Example

“Parents are up in arms about the school closures.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

give someone a piece of your mind

To tell someone angrily what you really think of them.

blow off steam

to release pent-up energy or emotion through some activity

bury the hatchet

to reconcile with someone and bring a quarrel to an end

drive someone up the wall

to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated

go with the flow

To adjust calmly to circumstances or prevailing behavior instead of resisting them.

kiss and make up

to reconcile and become friendly again after an argument

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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