break ranks
1. Literally, to step out of a military formation. Don't break ranks, or the drill sergeant will lose it. I didn't break ranks intentionally, I fainted while we were marching in the scorching heat. Soldiers! No one is permitted to break ranks until I say so!
2. By extension, to behave in a way that is different from or opposes the other members of a group that one is a part of. You're a part of management now—if you disagree with their initiatives, then you need to break ranks. Somebody needs to break ranks here because Marianne's plan is way out of line! No one ever breaks ranks with the CEO, which just emboldens him to make more stupid decisions.
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