I read the expression ‘arced up’ on this Age website. Is this a new expression? I suppose it means ‘got angry’ or something like that.

http://www.theage.com.au/national/third-train-station-assault-in-24-hours-20090917-fs1d.html

“Police said six men assaulted two men on a Pakenham train travelling from Richmond to the city about 4.45 pm.

The fight started when the two victims, aged 48 and 28, asked the group to tone down their behaviour.

A police spokeswoman said the group objected to the request and “arced up”.

“The group of six were mucking around and causing trouble according to other passengers, who asked them to calm down,” a police spokeswoman said. “The offenders then arced up.””

Hi Jonn

Sure does mean to get angry quickly - simple as that

Hi Jonn - I should have added that ‘arced up’ is related to the term ‘sparks flying’ which is also analogous to a welding arc sending sparks - ‘sparks flying’ is also used in the same context (ie ‘then the sparks started flying’ meaning an argument started), but is a bit older and less used now than ‘arced up’

Thanks for that - it does seem obvious now but when I first read it it had me stumped. It was the first time I had heard this phrase. 

I’d not heard it before either, so ta!