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break ranks

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
break ranks
to publicly show that you disagree with a group of which you are a member (often + with ) Junior officers were said to be prepared to break ranks with the leadership.
See also: break, rank

break ranks
to do or say something different from what a group you belong to does or says Two owners broke ranks and said they were against locking out the players.
Usage notes: often followed by with: They decided to break ranks with the alliance and work independently for a solution.
Etymology: based on the military meaning of break ranks (to walk away from a straight row in which you and other soldiers have been standing)
See also: break, rank


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He said some don't want to break ranks and gripe about it because they fear being ostracized by the police union and others on the force.
Supporting Principals Who Break Ranks," a companion document to Breaking Ranks II, was written with that function in mind.
While none of them supports the Federal Marriage Amendment--not to my face, at least--none of them is willing to break ranks with the Republican Party over it either.
 
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