break ranks

/bɹˈeɪk ɹˈaŋks/

/bɹˈeɪk ɹˈæŋks/

[phrase]

to break ranks

[PHRASE]

to publicly oppose a group or party that one has been a member of

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.

Examples

1. Surprisingly, nine of the 31 Republicans in the Assembly broke ranks to vote with the Democrats.

2. The party has broken ranks, with five of its nine presidential hopefuls calling for a review of the revisions.

3. Alaska's GOP Senator Lisa Murkowski broke ranks and voted to confirm.

4. Republican Mitt Romney was the sole senator to break ranks.

Nearby words

break the back of the beast

break the bank

break the mold