ɑrmd tuː ðə tiːθ
Body Parts
neutral
intermediate
- Literally:
- Carrying weapons up to and including in one's teeth
What does "armed to the teeth" mean?
- Carrying many weapons or being extremely well prepared
- Having abundant resources or equipment for a task
Examples
- The security guards were armed to the teeth.
- She went to the interview armed to the teeth with research.
- The soldiers arrived armed to the teeth.
Origin
Dating from the 14th century, this phrase comes from the image of pirates who would carry a knife in their teeth while their hands held other weapons, maximizing their armament.
How to use it
Can be used literally about weapons or figuratively about being extremely well-prepared for any situation.
Similar expressions
heavily armed
fully equipped
loaded for bear
Opposites
unarmed
unprepared
Related idioms
- keep an eye on
To watch or monitor something carefully
- heart of gold
A very kind, generous, and caring nature
- caught red-handed
Caught in the act of doing something wrong
- keep your chin up
To stay positive and not be discouraged
- wrap your head around something
To understand something complex
- all ears
Listening attentively and eagerly
Use it in a practice answer
Try "armed to the teeth" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.