close ranks

Idioms and Phrases

Unite, work together, as in The members decided to close ranks and confront the president . This expression, dating from the late 1700s, comes from the military, where it denotes bringing troops into close order so there are no gaps in the fighting line. (A slightly earlier form was close lines .) It has been used figuratively since the mid-1800s.

Example Sentences

Not having spent years at politics, they have not been brought up to close ranks behind a primary winner.

From The Daily Beast

It is thought of as a sort of mighty army, marching down the road, in close ranks, with fixed bayonets.

From Project Gutenberg

For before him was the stream of water—almost as deadly to him as the close ranks of the Mifkets behind him.

From Project Gutenberg

The whites began to close ranks, to leave no room in their midst for the white man of the North, the ruler and ally of the black.

From Project Gutenberg

To escape famine, he will soon be obliged to direct his flight through the close ranks of our brave soldiers.

From Project Gutenberg

Long before daylight the next morning the four thousand were marching in close ranks to gather for the final assault.

From Project Gutenberg