take up arms
take up arms — idiom
1. to get weapons ready and be willing to join a war or violent struggle, usually a
to get weapons ready and be willing to join a war or violent struggle, usually against a ruler, an army, or an unfair system
Thousands of farmers chose to take up arms when the king raised their taxes again.
take up arms when [trigger event] — a cause that pushes people to fight
Emre refused to take up arms against his own neighbours, even under heavy pressure.
take up arms against [people] for the side or enemy chosen
The exiled leader called on every citizen to take up arms and defend the city.
Young volunteers were ready to take up arms the moment the border was attacked.
After years of broken promises, the miners finally decided to take up arms.
- lay down arms
the fixed opposite: to stop fighting and give up weapons
文法句型
take up arms against [someone/something]
用法筆記
Subject is usually a group of ordinary people rather than a standing army; the phrase frames the fighting as a response to injustice, attack, or a call to action. Often followed by 'against' plus the target.