closing ranks
- solidarityUnity among allies
- unityWholeness through cohesion
- defendingProtecting against harm
- protectingKeeping from harm
- circlingMoving around a center
loyalty · allegiance · tribe · cohesion · shield · barrier · siege · fortress · insiders · outsiders · collective · formation · phalanx · brotherhood · sisterhood · cover-up · stonewalling · tightening
group cohesion and unity
closing ranksfragmenting
Breaking into smaller pieces
infighting · falling apart · splintering · fracturing · disunity
transparency and openness
closing ranksopening up
Becoming less guarded
airing dirty laundry · coming clean · full disclosure · transparency · whistleblowing
loyalty and protection
closing ranksselling out
Abandoning principles for gain
betraying · ratting out · pointing fingers · scapegoating · abandoning