close ranks

present singular third person closes ranks · participle present closing ranks · participle past closed ranks · past closed ranks

1. governmentTo close the spacing between lines (ranks) of troops, as they are deployed across a battlefield, thereby decreasing the depth of the formation as it faces the enemy side.
2. figurativelyTo regroup forces, especially when this involves overlooking differences in order to face a challenge or adverse situation. Often implies making a show of unity, especially to the public.
3. figurativelyTo maintain silence and secrecy in the face of some external threat.

   However, the charges that the police closed ranks to protect Godber find a parallel in Wong's hearings.

   2007, Gina Marchetti, Andrew Lau and Alan Mak's Infernal Affairs

   2 more examples

   Gendrot describes a “clannish” system that ensures officers close ranks to protect their own, leading to a sense of impunity.

   2020 September 3, Kim Willsher, “French reporter who joined police exposes racism and violence”, in The Guardian, →ISSN

   It cannot be suggested in my view that the Metropolitan Police, even for a moment, attempted to close ranks to protect one of their own. Instead, remorselessly, efficiently and impartially the investigating officers followed all the available leads, resulting in an overwhelming case against the accused.

   2023 March 6, Adrian Fulford, R v Wayne Couzens, sentencing remarks, Paragraph 27