rally around

Idioms

Join in a common effort, as in When Mom broke her leg the entire family rallied around to help. This idiom gained currency with George F. Root's famous Civil War song, “The Battle Cry of Freedom,” which urges troops to rally round the flag that goes with them into battle. [Early 1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But to rally around Prejean Boller would be a mistake.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2026

They may want to rally around new leaders who will actually fight for families and freedom.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

He also appealed to Kurds across the world and friends of the region to "rally around the resistance of SDF fighters to ensure the protection of civilians", it said.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

Chamberlain adds: “It’s cool to be part of something, and it’s just lovely to see the community rally around this story.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 18, 2026

Every time they chased him from the tree, he’d just run off a little way and circle back, then stand off far enough away that they’d rally around my tree again.

From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023