close ranks

1. 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.

Example Sentences

“I watched the industry try to close ranks and not allow my dad to be a part of it. He just kept showing up. He did not stop. He became undeniable at a certain point,” said Trejo.

From Los Angeles Times

I expect, of course, for the president to quickly close ranks.

From Slate

"Whenever there's a problem, they will close ranks and ignore. If that doesn't work, they would attack you with great ferocity," he told BBC Wales Investigates.

From BBC

He thinks Latino politicians need to close ranks like he feels other ethnicities do.

From Los Angeles Times

Pennsylvania Rep. Summer Lee, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Michigan Rep. Rashida Tlaib—the only Palestinian American in Congress—were also on AIPAC’s wish list, but all three women were quick to close ranks with impressive fundraising hauls and endorsements.

From Slate