shoulder arms

The term "shoulder arms" originates from military drill commands and has also found usage in sports terminology.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

C1Military

(command, drill)A command instructing soldiers to place their rifles on their right shoulder, with the forearm parallel to the ground and the hand holding the butt.

Example

At the command 'shoulder arms,' the soldiers moved their rifles into position.

B2Cricket

(sports, informal)To lift the bat out of the path of the ball when it is judged to be missing the wicket.

Example

The batsman decided to shoulder arms, letting the ball pass harmlessly.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "shoulder arms":

shoulder to shoulder port arms present arms order arms arm in arm broad shoulders under arms passage of arms arm out shoulder pad shot in the arm