take up arms

• Se préparer à combattre, soit en prenant littéralement les armes, soit au sens figuré en opposant une résistance résolue à quelque chose.

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.

   prendre les armes

   • 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.

   prendre les armes contre

   • 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.