at the high port

prepositional phrase5

1. •
   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. — 1943
2. •
   Held in front of the body, especially in an authoritative or aggressive way.
3. •
   Positioned ready for immediate use.

   • Two seconds later Charlie comes out with his hand at the high port, ready for shaking. — 1970
4. •
   Sticking up; (of hair, etc) standing up at a marked angle.

   • Once, they disturbed a family of forest hog, which trotted off with tails at the high port; once a lone hyena, [...] — 1986
5. •
   (slang) At once, quickly; unhesitatingly, vigorously.

   • [...] So we thought we'd better hop our frames out of there at the high port. — 1982