Armed to the teeth

Meaning

The idiom "armed to the teeth" means to be extremely well prepared, equipped, or ready for something. It can also mean to have a lot of knowledge or experience about a particular topic. This phrase originates from the idea of having all the necessary weapons or resources at one's disposal, and being ready to use them if needed.

Usage

• John was armed to the teeth for the final exam, as he had spent weeks studying and practicing for it.
• The sales team was armed with a wealth of information about their clients' needs and preferences.
• The chef prepared the dish with all the right ingredients, ensuring that it was armed to the teeth flavorful.
• The athlete trained hard every day, knowing that they needed to be armed to the teeth ready for competition.
• The artist spent months perfecting their technique, wanting to be armed to the teeth with skill and confidence when presenting their work.

Roots and History

The exact origins of this idiom are unclear, but it is believed to have originated in medieval times when knights would be equipped with all necessary weapons before going into battle. Over time, the phrase has evolved to mean being well-prepared or well-equipped for any situation, rather than just physical combat.

Synonyms in English

• Equipped
• Prepared
• Ready
• Armed
• Preparedness

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: armado hasta los dientes (literally "armed to the teeth")
• Français: équipé jusqu'à la denture (literally "equipped until the teeth")
• Italian: equipato alla gola (literally "equipped at the mouth")
• German: bewaffnet bis zum Zahn (literally "armed up to the teeth")
• Dutch: equipeerd tot de tanden (literally "equipped up to the teeth")

Similar Idioms

• all is fair in love and war

• aid and abet

• arrive in a body