close ranks

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Putin made us realize that we really are dependent on each other and that we have to close ranks, which is what we did,” said Hannah Neumann, a German Green member of the European Parliament.

From Washington Post

"We need to close ranks and strongly reject such action," Germany's Minister of State Tobias Lindner told the General Assembly on Wednesday.

From Reuters

Hungary’s national elections are just weeks away, and the European Union is trying to close ranks in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine, a major threat of war at its eastern borders, even though any actual funding cuts could be months away.

From New York Times

“Putin is so extreme in his demands and threats that it’s impossible not to close ranks with other countries,” Mr. Araud said.

From New York Times

If the three officers are convicted, “It would be an important step in dismantling the blue wall of silence when cops close ranks and refuse to intervene when they see another officer doing wrong,” Mr. Butler said.

From New York Times