under 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.
At the height of the Cold War, Germany had more than half a million personnel under arms - but always within Nato and under US supervision.
From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2026
At the same time, the Spartans drilled so incessantly, and were constantly under arms, because they were afraid the Helots would revolt.
From Slate ● Jan. 16, 2024
“There are 200,000 men and women under arms in Ukraine,” he said.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 1, 2022
The CIA has estimated that, in 2014, the Islamic State had only perhaps 20,000 to 30,000 fighters under arms.
From Salon ● May 17, 2016
On foot and swiftly he went up toward the stockade where swine were penned in hundreds, and at night the guardian of the swine, the forester, slept under arms on duty for his masters.
From "The Odyssey" by Homer
