close ranks idiom
（尤指团体或组织成员为免受批评而）紧密团结，携手合作，抱团
When the members of a group or organization close ranks, they make an effort to stay united, especially in order to defend themselves from severe criticism.
In the past, the party would have closed ranks around its leader and defended him loyally. 要是放在以前，该党会紧紧团结在其领袖周围，忠心地维护他。