open ranks
Widen the lines
Open ranks is a military command directing soldiers in formation to increase the distance between rows, typically for inspection or to allow officers to pass through.
The opposite command is close ranks.
Figuratively, to open ranks can mean making space for newcomers or becoming less exclusive: The old boys' club finally opened ranks to women.
- formationCreation or arrangement
- scatterDistribute in random directions
- disperseCause to spread apart
- spreadTo distribute widely
- militaryArmed forces collectively
drill · drill sergeant · parade · parade ground · spacing · interval · soldiers · march · fall in · command · standing order · widen · expand · gap · lineup · maneuver · infantry · column
- drill commandsshoulder arms, fall in, port arms, order arms, forward
- Military CadencesJody, marching cadence, marching song, sound off, call and response
formation density
open ranksclose ranks
Unite defensively as group
closed ranks · close formation · tight formation · shoulder to shoulder
open, opens, opened, opening, opener, openers, openness, openly, reopen