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Reader question: In this sentence, “a Republican Senator is breaking rank with his party”, what does “breaking rank” mean exactly? My comments: It means this Republican Senator, whoever he is, is taking a different position from that of the Republican Party. Supposing we’re talking about America, which I think we are, if a Republican Senator breaks rank with his party, then he probably supports the Democrats, their opponents, on a certain issue. For example, suppose all Republicans oppose Obama Care, a Democratic plan championed by President Barack Obama to give everyone, say, health insurance. Then, if one Republican says he is for Obama Care, he is breaking rank. Rank, as in rank and file. When soldiers are gathered together before a march, they are told to stand in a certain neat way that is called rank and file. By rank, they are supposed to stand in a straight line side by side while by file they’re supposed to stand in a straight line one behind another. In this situation, if a soldier steps out of line and go it alone, he’s literally breaking rank and file, i.e. moving out of his usual, designated position. By extension and figuratively speaking, if someone breaks rank, or ranks, then he is stepping out of line and refusing to support the goal of his group or organization. Or, simply put, he’s in disagreement with the group. That’s all. | 
