circle the wagons
Unite against threats
Circle the wagons means to unite defensively against outside threat or criticism.
The phrase evokes the American frontier practice of arranging covered wagons in a circle to protect settlers from attack.
Now used for any group closing ranks: When the scandal broke, the administration circled the wagons.
Often implies protecting insiders at the expense of transparency.
Bring together as one
- allianceFormal union of parties
- band togetherUnite for shared purpose
- rally aroundCollectively support someone
- close ranksUnite defensively as group
collective action · tribal loyalty · us versus them · in-group · insular · protectionism · exclusion · gatekeeping
Obstacle blocking a path
- fortifyMake stronger against threat
- protectKeep from harm
- shieldHandheld defensive armor
- entrenchFix firmly in place
guard · secure · bunker · hunker down · dig in · close ranks · stand firm · hold the line
unite
Bring together as one
- allianceFormal union of parties
- band togetherUnite for shared purpose
- rally aroundCollectively support someone
close ranks · collective action · tribal loyalty · us versus them · in-group · insular · protectionism · exclusion · gatekeeping · tribal
barricade
Obstacle blocking a path
entrench · guard · secure · bunker · hunker down · dig in · close ranks · stand firm · hold the line · brace
- office jargonsynergy, touch base, deep dive, action item, deliverable
- Buffalo BillsJosh Allen, Jim Kelly, James Cook, blue and red, AFC Championship
- close ranksunity, solidarity, band together, stand together, join forces
- Old Westcowboy, cowboys, cowgirl, sheriff, sheriffs
- cautioncareful, be careful, cautious, caution, watch out
- expressions about containmentboxed in, bottled up, hemmed in, penned in, locked in
circle the wagonsevery man for himself
Chaotic self-interest declaration
scatter · disperse · scatter to the winds · run for the hills · break ranks
circle the wagonsevery man for himself
Chaotic self-interest declaration
abandon ship · cut and run · throw under the bus · break ranks · splinter
circle the wagonsopen up
Reveal inner thoughts
reach out · build bridges · open dialogue · air dirty laundry · bare all
circle, circles, circled, circling, circular, circularity, circulate, circulation, circulatory