rank (redirected from ranked)

close ranks

to move closer together in a military formation. The soldiers closed ranks and marched on the enemy in tight formation.

See also: close

close ranks (with someone)

to join with someone in a cause, or agreement. We can fight this menace only if we close ranks. Let's all close ranks with Ann and adopt her suggestions.

See also: close

come up through the ranks

Fig. to rise to a position of leadership by working up through the sequence of lower positions. He came up through the ranks to become a corporate executive. The general came up through the ranks. There is no other way to become a general.

See also: come, through, up

pull rank (on someone)

Fig. to assert one's rank, authority, or position over someone when making a request or giving an order. Don't pull rank on me! I don't have to do what you say! When she couldn't get her way politely, she pulled rank and really got some action.

See also: pull

rank someone or something as something

to assign a particular rank to someone or something. I have to rank Sally as number one. She's the best. Mary ranked the chocolate as the best she had ever eaten.

rank someone (out) 

1. Sl. to annoy someone. He really ranks me out. What a pest!

2. Sl. to chastise someone. She ranked him out for being a coward. I ranked out the whole gang, but good!

rank someone among something

to judge someone to be essentially equal to a specific group of people. I don't rank Kelly among the best drivers in the world. Our committee ranked Fred among the best of the current applicants.

See also: among

rank someone with someone

to judge someone to be equal with someone. Would you rank Tom with Donna? Fred ranked himself with Tom when it came to diving.

rank above someone

to outrank someone; to rank higher than someone. I think that I rank above you, so I will sit by the window. The boss ranks above everyone and demands that everyone recognize the fact.

See also: above

rank among something

to be included in a particular group. In my opinion, Kelly ranks among the very best. Tom ranks among the most widely known of the contemporary writers.

See also: among

rank and file 

1. Lit. regular soldiers, not the officers. I think there is low morale among the rank and file, sir. The rank and file usually do exactly as they are told.

2. Fig. the ordinary members of a group, not the leaders. The rank and file will vote on the proposed contract tomorrow. The last contract was turned down by the rank and file last year.

See also: and, file

rank as something

to have a particular rank; to serve in a particular rank. She ranks as a fine pianist in my book. Don ranks as the top economist of the day.

rank on someone

Sl. to attack someone verbally; to gossip about someone. Please stop ranking on my family! Tom keeps ranking on Jennifer, and she is really mad about it.

rank with someone or something

to be equal to someone or something. Do you think Sarah ranks with Albert? No one ranks with Albert. The food at that restaurant ranks with that of the best places in New York.

rise from the ranks

Fig. to achieve position or office, having worked up from the masses. He rose from the ranks to become president of the company. Most of the officers of the company have risen from the ranks.

See also: rise

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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

close ranks

if members of a group close ranks, they publicly show that they support each other, especially when people outside of the group are criticizing them

Usage notes: If soldiers close ranks, they move closer together so that it is more difficult to go past them.

In the past, the party would have closed ranks around its leader and defended him loyally against his critics.

See also: close

join the ranks of something

to become part of a large group Thousands of young people join the ranks of the unemployed each summer when they leave school.

See Join the club!, enter the fray

See also: join

pull rank

to use the power that your position gives you over someone in order to make them do what you want (often + on ) He doesn't have the authority to pull rank on me any more. She was boss of forty or more people but, to her credit, she never once pulled rank.

See also: pull

the rank and file

the ordinary members of an organization and not its leaders The party leadership seems to be losing the support of the rank and file.

See pull rank

See also: and, file

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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

close ranks

to show support for other members of your group Dale urged his former rivals to close ranks behind his candidacy.

Etymology: based on the military meaning of close ranks (to form a straight row with other soldiers)

See also: close

join the ranks of something

to become part of a larger group or organization Their country will join the ranks of the most developed nations of the world in four or five years.

See also: join

pull rank

to use the power of your job or position to make someone do what you want Some of the seniors in our school pull rank on the younger kids and force them to run errands for them.

See also: pull