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

He described how state institutions can "close ranks around a lie" and said it was a "huge failure of democracy" that it has taken so long to get to the truth.

From BBC

He described how state institutions can "close ranks around a lie" and said it was a "huge failure of democracy" that it has taken so long to get to the truth.

From BBC

Pennsylvania Rep. Summer Lee, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib—the only Palestinian American in Congress—were also on AIPAC’s wish list, but all three women were quick to close ranks with impressive fundraising hauls and endorsements.

From Slate

Republicans have sought to close ranks around Trump while Democrats remain divided over whether to proceed with President Biden at the top of their ticket.

From BBC

He described how state institutions can "close ranks around a lie" and said it was a "huge failure of democracy" that it has taken so long to get to the truth.

From BBC