protester takes to the streets

idiom

1. A protester goes out into the public streets to join a demonstration — used especially in the plural to describe large numbers of people protesting publicly.

   B2

   idiom; verb phrase; subject is usually plural: 'protesters take to the streets'; past tense 'took to the streets'; takes, took, taken

   • "The protester takes to the streets to demand fair elections."B1
   • "The protesters took to the streets."A2
   • "After the new law was announced, protesters took to the streets across the country."B1
   • "As food prices soared, ordinary citizens took to the streets in numbers the government had not anticipated."C1

2. To go out onto the streets in large numbers, for example to celebrate or simply to be outside after something important happens.

   C1

   idiom; verb phrase

   • "Fans took to the streets after the final whistle."B2
   • "When the curfew was lifted, the whole city seemed to take to the streets at once."C2