What is the origin of the idiom "break ranks" and when to use it?

The idiom "break ranks" has its origins in military terminology and tactics. In a military formation, soldiers stand in a line or formation called ranks. "Breaking ranks" refers to an individual soldier or a group of soldiers deviating from the prescribed formation by stepping out of line or breaking the orderly arrangement. The term has been figuratively extended beyond its military context to describe acts of dissent, rebellion, or disagreement within an organization, group, or team, where someone goes against the established norms or unity.