TO GET THE HALBERT, verb. phr. (old military).—To rise to sergeant’s rank. [The weapon was carried by sergeants of foot.] TO BE BROUGHT TO THE HALBERTS = to be flogged; TO CARRY THE HALBERT IN ONE’S FACE = to show that one rose from the ranks (of officers in commission).
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.
