take up arms

• Tomar las armas para luchar, ya sea literalmente empuñando un arma o figurativamente prepararse para una resistencia o lucha decidida contra algo.

To prepare to fight, either literally by picking up weapons or figuratively by strongly opposing something.

1. Prepare to fightB2formal

   To begin to fight or prepare for a conflict, often by picking up weapons.

   tomar las armas

   • The citizens took up arms to defend their city.
   • They decided to take up arms against the invading forces.
   • In times of war, many people take up arms to protect their homeland.

2. C1formal

   To strongly oppose or resist something, often in a figurative sense.

   Tomar las armas

   • The activists took up arms against the new policy.
   • She took up arms to fight for social justice.
   • The community took up arms against the proposed development.