The Basic Meaning of ‘Arm’
As a noun, the most common meaning of ‘arm’ is “arm; limb”; it can also refer to “weapons; armed forces”; as a verb, it means “to arm; to equip”.
Examples of Noun Usage
Arm; Limb
She held the baby in her arms. (She held the baby in her arms.)
Weapons; Armed Forces
They were trained in the use of arms. (They received training in the use of weapons.)
Examples of Verb Usage
To Arm; To Equip
The police were armed with the latest weapons. (The police were equipped with the latest weapons.)
Common Idioms Containing ‘Arm’ and Their Explanations
1. arm in arm
Meaning: Arm in arm; closely
Explanation: This vividly depicts two people closely linking arms, often used to describe a close relationship between individuals.
Example: The two girls walked arm in arm along the street. (The two girls walked arm in arm along the street.)
2. with open arms
Meaning: Warmly; welcoming with open arms
Explanation: The action of “opening arms” gives a sense of warm acceptance, so this idiom indicates welcoming someone with great enthusiasm.
Example: The whole family welcomed him back with open arms. (The whole family warmly welcomed him back.)
3. up in arms
Meaning: Very angry; strongly opposed
Explanation: When people “raise their arms,” it often expresses excitement or anger, so this idiom indicates strong dissatisfaction and opposition to something.
Example: The local residents were up in arms about the new road plan. (The local residents were very angry about the new road plan.)
4. an arm and a leg
Meaning: A large sum of money; very expensive
Explanation: This is an exaggerated expression emphasizing that the cost is very high, as if losing an arm and a leg would be a huge price.
Example: Buying a house in this city costs an arm and a leg. (Buying a house in this city costs a large sum of money.)
5. strong-arm
Meaning: To threaten with violence; to coerce
Explanation: “Strong” indicates strength, and “arm” refers to the arm, together meaning to threaten others with a strong arm, extending to using violent means to force someone to do something.
Example: The gang tried to strong-arm the small business owner into paying protection money. (The gang tried to threaten the small business owner into paying protection money.)
6. take up arms
Meaning: To take up weapons; to enlist; to launch armed struggle
Explanation: Literally means to take up weapons, usually used to describe people participating in combat or military action for a certain purpose.
Example: The people took up arms to defend their homeland. (The people took up arms to defend their homeland.)