armed to the teeth

A

armed to the teeth

Meaning

• heavily and formidably armed, usually with deadly weapons
• fully prepared or equipped (with weapons, arguments and so on).
• carrying many weapons
• to be armed with ammunition strongly for some kind of war or battle
• When you are well organized for entering into a new project, being financially strong to invest in some business
• When someone is physically and mentally prepared to compete with others in any field of life

Example Sentences

1. The alleged tax-defaulter was ready for all their questions, and armed to the teeth with proof of his innocence.
2. It was dangerous to chase the robbers. They were armed to the teeth and looked merciless.
3. The minister came armed to the teeth for his first press meet after being elected and answered all the question easily.
4. It’s not advisable to go there now. There is a turf war going on between two gangs and they are armed to the teeth.
5. Since he had decided to argue his own case, he was armed to the teeth to prove his innocence in front of the court.
6. They are a very formidable team, having excellent players in all positions. You can say they are armed to the teeth.
7. The army was armed to the teeth and ready to defend their positions against any form of attack.
8. Having once been embarrassed in front of his clients, he came armed to the teeth for his next presentation.
9. Both the rival forces were armed to the teeth for a do or die purpose.
10. For the annual debate competition, I am armed to the teeth and quite confident that I will win.
11. To invest in the luxurious housing scheme of the city, one should be armed to the teeth.
12. To become a commercial pilot one should be armed to the teeth as it requires a lot of investment.
13. Both the wrestlers were armed to the teeth to win the royal rumble against each other.

Origin

The phrase originated in the 14th century and referred to knights who wore head to foot armour. However, it became popular in the mid 1800s, and was used for weapons only at first. Now it is also used figuratively.

According to one another thought the idiom was actually generated in Port Jamaica in 1600’s and was associated with the pirates of that time. They were supposed to be armed with maximum weapons to fight with their rivals. To be well equipped they also kept a small knife in their teeth which helps them during the fighting.