comrade-in-arms
Definition
- Noun:
- Fellow soldier in war: "comrade-in-arms" refers to a person who serves alongside another in a military conflict or war, sharing the same experiences and dangers.
- Shared struggle: More broadly, it can denote any close associate or ally who works together with someone in a difficult or challenging endeavor, emphasizing mutual loyalty and support.
Usage Examples
- (A fellow soldier who shared the same war experiences.)
- (Allies working together in a shared struggle.)
Advanced Usage
"to stand by one's comrade-in-arms": to remain loyal and supportive to a fellow fighter or ally.
- Even in peacetime, he stood by his comrade-in-arms through personal difficulties. (He remained loyal to his former war companion.)
"a lifelong comrade-in-arms": a person who remains a close ally or friend for many years, especially after a shared conflict.
- They were lifelong comrades-in-arms, having fought together in the revolution. (They maintained their bond long after the fighting ended.)
Variants and Related Words
Comrade (n): a companion or associate, especially one who shares one's activities or ideals.
- She is a trusted comrade in the laboratory. (A close colleague.)
In arms (phrase): armed or bearing weapons; also used metaphorically to mean engaged in a struggle.
- The soldiers were in arms against the invaders. (They were armed and fighting.)
Synonyms
- Fellow soldier: a person who fights alongside another in the same military unit.
- Fellow fighter: a person engaged in the same conflict or struggle.
- Ally: a person or group that cooperates with another for a common cause.
Related Idioms
Fight side by side: to engage in combat or struggle together as partners.
- They fought side by side as comrades-in-arms for three years. (They fought together as equals in the same battles.)
Brother in arms: a close male comrade, especially one who has shared military experiences.
- He greeted his old brother in arms with a warm embrace. (He greeted his former fellow soldier.)