break ranks
Leave the line
To break ranks is to step out of military formation, and by extension, to publicly dissent from a group's official position.
Someone breaks ranks when they abandon solidarity to voice disagreement: Several senators broke ranks with their party on the vote.
The phrase implies betrayal of expected loyalty or unity.
Refuse to comply
- defyResist or challenge openly
- resistOppose or refuse compliance
- refuseReject or garbage
- challengeTest of ability
oppose · flout · buck · contravene · repudiate · insubordination · reject · disregard
Opposer of established systems
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
- objectorOne who formally disagrees
- protesterOne who publicly opposes
contrarian · critic · rebel · apostate · heretic · iconoclast · naysayer · skeptic
Creation or arrangement
- drillHole-boring device
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- platoonSmall infantry formation
- battalionMid-sized military unit
regiment · squadron · company · troop · infantry · maneuver · parade · march
Independent decision-making capacity
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- individualismDoctrine of personal independence
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- liberationRelease from constraint
emancipation · sovereignty · self-reliance · splinter · secede · branch off · strike out · stand alone
disobey
Refuse to comply
challenge · oppose · flout · buck · contravene · repudiate · insubordination · reject · disregard · transgress
dissident
Opposer of established systems
- whistleblowerInsider who reports misconduct
- defectorOne who abandons allegiance
- objectorOne who formally disagrees
protester · contrarian · critic · rebel · apostate · heretic · iconoclast · naysayer · skeptic · dissenter
formation
Creation or arrangement
- drillHole-boring device
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- platoonSmall infantry formation
battalion · regiment · squadron · company · troop · infantry · maneuver · parade · march · file
autonomy
Independent decision-making capacity
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- individualismDoctrine of personal independence
- freedomAbsence of constraint
liberation · emancipation · sovereignty · self-reliance · splinter · secede · branch off · strike out · stand alone
- breakbreakaway, breakdown, breakout, breakthrough, breakup
- independencefreedom, liberty, Independence Day, autonomy, sovereignty
break ranksfall in line
Comply with expectations
toe the line · conform · go along · comply · acquiesce
break ranksclose ranks
Unite defensively as group
stand together · unite · band together · stick together · circle the wagons
break, broken, breaking, unbroken, ranks, daybreak, outbreak, breaks, unbreakable