plowshare
beat swords into plowshares
To abstain from destructive activities, such as war and violence (symbolized by swords), in favor of peaceful, constructive activities (symbolized by plowshares, a farming implement). The phrase comes from the Bible. We must beat swords into plowshares so that our children can inherit a peaceful world.
See also: beat, plowshare, sword
swords to plowshares
1. The notion of converting military forces, technologies, or ideas into peaceful purposes. A shortening of the phrase "beat swords into plowshares" from the Bible. (Spelled "ploughshare" in British English.) Primarily heard in UK. The program aims to collect disused or surplus military equipment and put them to use in public health clinics in developing countries—swords to plowshares, if you will.
2. By extension, the abstention from destructive activities, such as war and violence, in favor of peaceful, constructive activities. We must adopt a swords-to-plowshares mentality if our children are ever to inherit a world worth living in.
See also: plowshare, sword
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
- beat swords into ploughshares
- beat swords into plowshares
- beat/turn swords into ploughshares
- ploughshares
- turn swords into ploughshares
- have a finger in every pie
- have a/(one's) finger in every pie
- finger in every pie
- be just before you're generous
- be out of action