circle the wagons
Appearance
English
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]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.
Pronunciation
[edit]Audio (General Australian): (file)
Verb
[edit]circle the wagons (third-person singular simple present circles the wagons, present participle circling the wagons, simple past and past participle circled the wagons)
- To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.
- (idiomatic) To prepare to defend against an attack or criticism.
See also
[edit]- circle the wagons on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
- close ranks
- laager