circle the wagons

• circle one's wagons

From the practice of drawing the wagons of a wagon-train into a circle to protect against attack, and also to keep cattle and other livestock within.

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circle the wagons (third-person singular simple present circles the wagons, present participle circling the wagons, simple past and past participle circled the wagons)

1. To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.
2. (idiomatic) To prepare to defend against an attack or criticism.

• circle the wagons on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• close ranks
• laager