Idiom
take up the hatchet
Meaning
To declare war or go to war.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“The two countries decided to take up the hatchet.”
“He warns that the rival groups will take up the hatchet soon.”
“They take up the hatchet to defend their borders from the invaders.”
“After years of failed peace talks, the neighboring kingdoms finally decided to take up the hatchet and begin the invasion.”
“The small tribe felt they had no other choice but to take up the hatchet to protect their land from the approaching army.”
“Historians believe the emperor was forced to take up the hatchet after his messengers were captured by the enemy general.”
“The fragile treaty collapsed when the rebels chose to take up the hatchet, signaling an end to the brief period of uneasy calm.”
Examples
simple
“The two countries decided to take up the hatchet.”
“He warns that the rival groups will take up the hatchet soon.”
“They take up the hatchet to defend their borders from the invaders.”
contextual
“After years of failed peace talks, the neighboring kingdoms finally decided to take up the hatchet and begin the invasion.”
“The small tribe felt they had no other choice but to take up the hatchet to protect their land from the approaching army.”
“Historians believe the emperor was forced to take up the hatchet after his messengers were captured by the enemy general.”
complex
“The fragile treaty collapsed when the rebels chose to take up the hatchet, signaling an end to the brief period of uneasy calm.”
Origin
The phrase refers to the customs of Native Americans and their use of the tomahawk in conflict. It appears in English records from the 17th century as a figurative expression for the commencement of hostilities. The terminology reflects the specific weaponry and perceived military protocols of these indigenous groups as documented by colonial observers.
Key words
Related idioms
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