Phrases & IdiomsIdiom guide
Up in Arms
“Up in Arms” it means to be very angry or strongly protesting about something.. This guide focuses on the documented modern idiomatic meaning and does not claim an unsupported exact origin date.
It means to be very angry or strongly protesting about something.
Key details
Canonical Formup in arms
Core Meaningbe very angry about something
Further guidance
History Boundary
This guide establishes the documented modern meaning and does not claim an exact inventor, coinage date, or absolute first use.
Meaning
Be very angry about something.
Usage Boundary
Use the expression where the documented figurative meaning fits; do not present an appealing origin story as established history without stronger evidence.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Be up in arms — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Current idiom meaning: be very angry about something