The idiom "circle the wagons" means to come together and protect oneself from a perceived threat or danger. It originates from the practice of pioneers in the American West who would form a circle with their wagons as a defensive measure against attacks from Native Americans or wild animals.
In modern usage, the phrase is often used metaphorically to describe a situation where a group of people come together to protect themselves from an outside threat, whether it be a physical danger or a more abstract one like criticism or negative publicity.
For example, a company might "circle the wagons" in response to a negative news story by issuing a statement and rallying employees to defend the company's reputation. Similarly, a group of friends might "circle the wagons" to support one another during a difficult time or in the face of a common adversary.
Overall, "circle the wagons" is a colorful and evocative way to describe a situation where people band together for protection and support.
• Despite facing criticism from the media, the athlete's team circled the wagons and continued to support him.
• When the company faced financial trouble, the CEO urged everyone to circle the wagons and work together to find a solution.
• The political party decided to circle the wagons and defend their candidate against accusations of corruption.
• During the storm, we circled the wagons to protect ourselves from the wind and rain.
• The police department circled the wagons to protect their officers after a controversial shooting incident.
• In times of crisis, it's important for leaders to circle the wagons and rally their team around a common goal.