raise your arms

USAGE SUMMARY

"raise your arms" is correct and usable in written English.
You would typically use this phrase when you are referring to someone raising their arms in a physical sense. For example, "Lift your feet off the ground and raise your arms above your head."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Raise your arms..."...

The Guardian - Books

"Raise your arms, raise your arms," one man murmured to them.

The New York Times

Thrust, then raise your arms to the heavens.

The New Yorker

Can you raise your arms above your head?

The Guardian - Opinion

"Raise your arms, baby," he said, and pulled her blouse up and over her head.

The New Yorker

Also an outfit in which you can easily raise your arms.

The New York Times

(Hold your ground, raise your arms above your head, make a noise, fight for your life if the animal attacks).

The Economist

"Will you raise your arms?

Huffington Post

3) Overhead triceps extensions: Raise your arms about the head.

Huffington Post

If you see a bear, talk loudly and raise your arms up.

Huffington Post

Raise your arms so that they are straight in front of you, parallel to the ground.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions during a workout or exercise routine, use "raise your arms" to clearly direct participants to lift their arms to a specified position.

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying the direction and extent of the arm movement. Instead of simply saying "raise your arms", provide additional details like "raise your arms above your head" or "raise your arms to shoulder height" to avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise your arms" functions as an imperative, instructing someone to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used in various contexts, primarily instructing a physical action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

46%

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise your arms" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative, typically employed to instruct someone to elevate their arms. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and applicable across varied situations, from fitness routines to security protocols. Predominantly featured in News & Media and Wiki contexts, its register remains largely neutral, adapting to both informal and professional scenarios. To ensure clarity, it's advisable to specify the desired arm position when using the phrase. Alternatives like "lift your arms" or "elevate your arms" provide similar meanings with subtle nuances. Ultimately, "raise your arms" is a versatile and straightforward command widely understood in English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lift your arms

Changes the verb to 'lift', providing a slightly different nuance while retaining the same core meaning.

bring your arms up

Uses 'bring up' as a more casual alternative to 'raise', suitable for informal contexts.

put your arms up

Uses the phrasal verb 'put up', which is a more colloquial way of saying to raise the arms.

move your arms upward

Describes the motion of moving the arms in an upward direction.

elevate your arms

Substitutes 'raise' with 'elevate', suggesting a more formal or deliberate action of lifting the arms.

get your arms up

A more informal way to say "raise your arms".

extend your arms upward

Describes the action more explicitly, specifying the direction of movement.

position your arms higher

Focuses on the resulting position of the arms, rather than the action of raising them.

hold your arms aloft

Replaces 'raise' with 'hold aloft', implying a sustained position of the arms in the air.

outstretch your arms

Implies extending the arms outwards and upwards.

FAQs

How do I use "raise your arms" in a sentence?

You can use "raise your arms" in instructional contexts such as fitness classes, security protocols, or even in simple commands. For example, "During the yoga pose, "raise your arms" above your head".

What are some alternatives to "raise your arms"?

Some alternatives include "lift your arms", "elevate your arms", or "put your arms up". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "raise your arms" or "lift your arms"?

Both "raise your arms" and "lift your arms" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Lift" might imply more effort or a deliberate action, while "raise" is generally neutral.

When is it appropriate to use "raise your arms"?

"Raise your arms" is appropriate in various situations, including fitness instructions, security procedures, dance instructions, or any scenario where you need someone to move their arms upward. In security scenarios, it might be used as a command: "Raise your arms so we can check you".