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.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
break ranks
Fall out of line or into disorder; also, fail to conform, deviate. For example, The recruits were warned that they must not break ranks, or Harry was told to adhere to the party platform and not break ranks. This idiom uses rank in the sense of "soldiers drawn up in line," and the term originally referred to their falling into disarray. The figurative usage dates from the mid-1800s.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
break ranks
or break rank
COMMON If someone breaks ranks or breaks rank, they do not follow the instructions or opinions of their group or organization, and instead, say or do something that shows a different opinion. Note: A rank of soldiers is a line of them standing side by side. Would you break ranks with your party and vote against the president's tax bill? A former cabinet minister has broken ranks to protest at the Government's plans to cut the education budget. Note: When soldiers break ranks, they stop standing in a line and move apart.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
break rank (or ranks)
1 (of soldiers or police officers) fail to remain in line. 2 fail to maintain solidarity.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
break ˈranks
(of the members of a group) refuse to support a group or an organization of which they are members: Large numbers of MPs felt compelled to break ranks over the issue.This idiom refers to soldiers, police etc. failing to remain in line.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
break ranks
Fail to conform. The term originated in the military, where “rank” means “soldiers drawn up in rank,” and signifies falling out of order and into disarray. In the mid-1800s, it began to be used figuratively, as in “Don’t break ranks; you’ve got to follow the official party platform.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer