With open arms
Meaning
To welcome someone or something with great enthusiasm, warmth, and acceptance.
Origin
Imagine the heartfelt embrace of a loved one returning after a long journey, or the benevolent gesture of a king welcoming a favored guest—arms stretched wide, signifying a complete and unconditional acceptance. This fundamental human act of physical embrace, a universal symbol of warmth and welcome, is the deep root of "with open arms." Though its exact linguistic birth isn't recorded in a specific moment, the phrase solidified its place in the English lexicon by the 16th century, frequently appearing in translations of religious texts to depict a divine or profound human welcome. It perfectly captures that innate, universal human urge to physically open oneself up, not just in body, but in spirit, to receive another without reservation.
Examples
- The small town welcomed the new doctor with open arms, eager for her medical expertise.
- Despite their past disagreements, she decided to forgive him and accepted his apology with open arms.