circle the/one's wagons

phrase

chiefly US, informal

: to gather a group of people together in order to protect them from being attacked

—usually used figuratively

Reporters tend to circle the wagons whenever the media are attacked for bias.

Examples of circle the/one's wagons in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So there appears to have been no personal touch involved even though Democrats are known to circle the wagons to defend one of their own. — Peter Lucas, Boston Herald, 29 Jan. 2026

The Justice Department’s criminal inquiry into Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell could prompt the central bank to circle the wagons to protect its independence. — Jason Ma, Fortune, 11 Jan. 2026

Republicans, meanwhile, seemed to circle the wagons around Hegseth, defending his character and his ability to lead the massive agency. — The Hill Staff, The Hill, 14 Jan. 2025

Media and leaders play up tribal connections Leaders and media know how to exploit our tribalism to circle the wagons. — Arash Javanbakht, The Conversation, 9 Aug. 2024

Rather than circle the wagons, his own party started to circle him. — Philip Wegmann, Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2024