Up in Arms.
English
idiom
Very angry or outraged about something.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
Very angry or outraged about something.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
Very angry and ready to protest or fight back about something.
When people are up in arms, they are outraged and actively voicing their opposition.
It is often used to describe a group reaction to an unfair decision or change that affects them directly.
"Up in Smoke"
—
Something that has failed or been destroyed, especially plans or hopes
"At Each Other's Throats"
—
Two people or groups actively fighting or arguing intensely with each other
"Up in Arms"
—
Being very angry and actively protesting against something
Did you hear about the new remote work policy they announced this morning?
Yes — people are up in arms about it. Half the team is talking about leaving.
They're tearing down the old community garden to build a car park.
People are going to be up in arms — that garden has been there for 30 years.
Why do you think people get so up in arms over these small policy changes?
Because it's often the small changes that signal bigger ones coming.
