close ranks

close ranks

1. Literally, to move closer to the other troops while in a military formation. As soon as the captain called for us to close ranks, we all moved closer together.
2. By extension, to show support for someone or something, especially as a response to criticism. This phrase is typically applied to a group of people. Our family was sure to close ranks behind mom as she suffered public backlash during her campaign for mayor.
See also: close, rank

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, rank

close ranks

(behind someone or something) to support someone or something; to back someone or something. We will close ranks behind the party's nominee. Let's close ranks behind her and give her the support she needs.
See also: close, rank

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, rank

close ranks

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.
See also: close, rank

close ranks

COMMON If the members of a group close ranks, they say things to show that they support each other totally when someone who is not in their group criticizes one of their members. Note: A rank of soldiers is a line of them standing side by side. They would more likely close ranks and support their president rather than abandon him in an election year. Cabinet ministers have closed ranks behind the Prime Minister, saying there was no question of his stepping down. Note: When soldiers close ranks, they stand closer together so that it is hard for anyone to break through the line.
See also: close, rank

close ranks

1 (of soldiers or police officers) come closer together in a line. 2 unite in order to defend common interests.
2 1998 Country Life The farming community stands to lose those privileges unless it closes ranks against the few who let the side down.
See also: close, rank

close ˈranks

(of the members of a profession, group, etc.) co-operate closely to protect and defend each other: Although the family quarrelled a good deal among themselves, they quickly closed ranks against any outsider who criticized one of them.
See also: close, rank
References in classic literature ?
933-937) Also Cytherea bare to Ares the shield-piercer Panic and Fear, terrible gods who drive in disorder the close ranks of men in numbing war, with the help of Ares, sacker of towns: and Harmonia whom high-spirited Cadmus made his wife.
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But no sooner did the herd, by some presumed wonderful instinct of the Sperm Whale, become notified of the three keels that were after them, --though as yet a mile in their rear, --than they rallied again, and forming in close ranks and battalions, so that their spouts all looked like flashing lines of stacked bayonets, moved on with redoubled velocity.
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This gentle expression was the more interesting because the schoolmaster's nose, an irregular aquiline twisted a little on one side, had rather a formidable character; and his brow, moreover, had that peculiar tension which always impresses one as a sign of a keen impatient temperament: the blue veins stood out like cords under the transparent yellow skin, and this intimidating brow was softened by no tendency to baldness, for the grey bristly hair, cut down to about an inch in length, stood round it in as close ranks as ever.
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Then Robin Hood gathered his band together in a close rank, with Will Stutely in the midst, and thus they moved slowly away toward Sherwood, and were gone, as a storm cloud moves away from the spot where a tempest has swept the land.
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The confederation urged forces in the country, aware as they are of the delicate nature of this stage, "to close ranks in order to embark on efforts to salvage the situation, put the country back on track towards growth and restore respect for the value of labour.
Cabinet reshuffle: UTICA calls for breaking away from party quotas logic
Summary: In times of crisis societies shed all petty squabbles, politics and recrimination and close ranks, and Lebanon is no exception.
The power of unity
We continue to call on the resilient spirit of the Filipino to close ranks against the vicissitudes confronting our people,' he added.
Malacanang to Leyte quake victims: 'We will rise again'
He called on Arab League member States to close ranks in face of "agendas aimed at aggravating tensions in the region.
Arab Parliament Condemns US Bill
00pm The shooting at the drugs house intensifies the scrutiny on Danny Waldron's armedresponse unit, who once again close ranks.
BEST OF THE BOX
For his part, the defecting former Syrian Prime Minister Riyad Hejab thanked the Saudi King for his support to the Syrian opposition to close ranks and unify stances to launch a political process to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict.
Saudi Arabia keen on restoring stability, justice to Syria - King Salman
NNA - Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdullatif Darian on Friday highlighted the necessity to entrench Islamic and national unity, close ranks, and skirt disputes and quandaries, accentuating the role of Dar-al-Fatwa in anchoring love, tolerance, and coexistence among the Lebanese.
Darian calls to anchor unity, shun disputes
Like any family going through troubles, you close ranks.
Murder cops still quizzing grandad Rev on tot death
However, tragedy strikes as the duo close in on the killer, and with Geordie's life hanging in the balance, the clergyman finds himself cut out of the investigation as the police close ranks.
CHOICE [...]
Al-Araji confirmed that "to eliminate the terrorist operations we must to close ranks and cooperate with the security agencies in order to thwart an attempt to implement any terrorist plot intended to split the Iraqi people.
Bahaa Araji urges people to cooperate with security services
Some say our loyalty to kith and kin makes us close ranks when the joke's on us.
Who are you laughing at? Banter is part of life
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