To rise in arms.

Phrases. to take weapon in hand: to take up arms.

to raise one's standard: to take up arms; to assume a hostile attitude either defensive or offensive; to prepare to fight; cf. sense A. 1.

to rise in arms: to prepare to fight for one's country, a cause, etc.; to join or form an armed force.

to take (up) arms: to arm oneself; to assume a hostile attitude either defensive or offensive; to prepare to fight; cf. to take on 3b at take, v.…

A person is also said to break into arms, to break into rebellion, to break into weeping, to break into a laugh, etc.

To draw (a weapon) out of the sheath or scabbard. to unsheathe the sword, to begin hostilities or slaughter. (Cf. sheathe, v. 2.)

to take up the hatchet: to declare war; to begin fighting; (more generally) to commence hostilities. Cf. to take up the tomahawk at tomahawk, n.…

In figurative phrase, to throw away the scabbard: to abandon all thought of making peace.

Of persons and animals: To move with a start or rush; to spring, start, hasten, rush. to fly to arms: to take up arms on a sudden. to fly in the fa…