Call to arms

Meaning

An urgent request for action or support.

Usage

Used to rally people around causes needing immediate attention.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Military commanders literally called troops to arm themselves before battle.

16th-century war proclamations amplified the metaphor for civic campaigns.