closed ranks
Unified against outsiders
Closed ranks describes a group that has united to protect itself or one of its members from outside criticism or attack.
The phrase comes from military formation—soldiers literally closing gaps between them to present a solid front.
When an organization closes ranks, members set aside internal disagreements to defend against external threats: The party closed ranks behind their embattled leader.
The past tense form often appears as a modifier: a closed-ranks response to the scandal.
- unitedJoined as one
- solidarityUnity among allies
- band togetherUnite for shared purpose
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- formationCreation or arrangement
military · support · defend · soldiers · troops · allegiance · stand together · all for one · rally · brotherhood · thin blue line · unwavering · protective · tight-knit · inner circle · lockstep · unified front · wall of silence
- secrecysecrecy, secret, secrets, confidential, classified
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- metaphorsbroken heart, dead metaphor, mixed metaphor, time is money, extended metaphor
closed ranksbroke ranks
scattered · divided · fractured · fell apart · splintered
closed ranksdispersed
Spread widely apart
scattered · spread out · open order · open ranks · disbanded
close, closed, closer, closest, closely, closeness, closing, closure, closures