up in arms

== English == === Etymology === From a now-obsolete sense of up (“in revolt”). === Pronunciation === === Adjective === up in arms (not comparable) (figuratively) Angry; incensed; preparing for a fight. Near-synonym: in the streets (figuratively) Vigourously protesting against something. (literal, now uncommon) Armed for battle; prepared for or engaged in warfare. ==== Usage notes ==== "All" may be added as an intensifier at the beginning of the expression, as in: ==== See also ==== in arms under arms ==== References ==== “up in arms”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford: Oxford University Press, launched 2000. === Further reading === “be up in arms” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman. “be up in arms”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present. “up in arms”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present. “up in arms” (US) / “up in arms” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.