# arm up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/arm-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

to supply, or be supplied with, arms (weapons)

## Examples

- The soldiers need to arm up before they head out.
- As tensions rose along the border, the local militia decided to arm up to protect their village.
- Fearing an imminent invasion, the government ordered the border guards to arm up and prepare for a long defensive struggle.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.