take up arms

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.

Journal cameras went inside the homes of LRU members to understand why regular Lithuanian citizens would take up arms and dedicate their free evenings and weekends to prepare for war.

From The Wall Street Journal

Prosecutors are seeking a 34-year jail term for Castillo, who previously said he never took up arms against the state because the military refused his orders.

From BBC

Paramilitary groups emerged in Colombia in the 1980s to fight Marxist guerrillas that had taken up arms against the state.

From Barron's

It maintains it took up arms to protect the rights of the minority Tutsi group in DR Congo.

From BBC

As he removes his gas mask, Bartek says he thinks most Poles "will take up arms" if attacked, "and be ready to defend the country."

From BBC