plowshare

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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. The program aims to beat swords into plowshares by collecting disused or surplus military equipment and putting them to use in public health clinics in developing countries. We'll never beat swords into plowshares if that bloodthirsty family remains in power.

swords into plowshares

A shortening of the phrase "beat/turn swords into plowshares," originally from the Bible. (Spelled "ploughshare" in British English.)

1. The notion of converting military forces, technologies, or ideas into peaceful purposes. 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 into plowshares, if you will.

2. By extension, the abstention from destructive activities, such as war and violence, in favor of peaceful, constructive activities. Often hyphenated and used as a modifier before a noun. We must adopt a swords-into-plowshares mentality if our children are ever to inherit a world worth living in.

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.