at the high port

Definitions

1. 1

   Held with two hands as in "port arms", but carried well above the head. The high port is…

   Held with two hands as in "port arms", but carried well above the head. The high port is often the position taught for running (at the double) or charging.

   • I raced across the desert, rifle above my head at the high-port. A man screamed, and throwing up his hands, rolled head over heels. I jumped over him and kept on running.
   • 'Place your rifle at the high port! That means above your head Mitchell!' James lifted the weapon and held over his head as ordered.
2. 2

   Sticking up

   Sticking up; (of hair, etc) standing up at a marked angle.

   • I have seen no more romantic figure than Stewart Carter, his head and shoulders wrapped in a flaming red head-scarf, moustaches at the high port, crouched fanatically over the steering-wheel of a stripped-down Land Rover.
   • Once, they disturbed a family of forest hog, which trotted off with tails at the high port; once a lone hyena, [...]
3. 3

   Held in front of the body, especially in an authoritative or aggressive way.

4. ›+ 2 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      At once, quickly

      At once, quickly; unhesitatingly, vigorously.

      • Eventually he went off, still bubbling with enthusiasm. When his motorbike was out of earshot I went to look for Smithy. He must have taken off smartly at the high port as soon as he saw Elmer but I ran him down in the end.
      • [...] So we thought we'd better hop our frames out of there at the high port.
      • [...] inimitable drivers had taken it into their heads to leave at the high-port when the firing started.
   2. 5

      Positioned ready for immediate use.

      • Two seconds later Charlie comes out with his hand at the high port, ready for shaking.
      • Among the other Americans was a bright, bird-like lady with her note-book at the high port and her biro uncapped and ready...

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