closing ranks

People on both sides have a way of closing ranks as Election Day approaches, and especially on the conservative side.

The result was yet another war of words on the Hill, with Democrats closing ranks behind the attorney general, and his boss.

He stopped, and then made a dash to escape from their closing ranks.

Rick lifted the Egyptian cat and rifled a pass through the closing ranks of clerks.

With difficulty I mounted my horse, and escaped from the closing ranks of my persecutors.