Armed to the teeth
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Week: (47) 26 Nov
Context:
"Did you see the news tonight?"
"Yeah, which bit?"
"Oh all that about Sierra Leone."
"What that war? Terrible."
"And you see these kids, 13, 14 years old, younger than your Mark, armed to the teeth, killing people left right and centre. They should be playing football and chatting to girls. Terrible."
"Same again?"
"Yeah, Pint."
Explanation: To be heavily armed.
Notes: In the days when pirates were at sea constantly looking for ships to attack for their treasure, guns were very primitive, only being able to shoot once before a long reloading process. Consequently, a pirate needed to carry one in each hand, and also perhaps one in each pocket. For extra power, they would also hold a knife between their teeth. Therefore, to be armed to the teeth means to carry the maximum possible amount of weapons.
