English Meaning & Definitions
The ordinary members of an organization, group, or society, excluding the leaders or those in positions of authority.
- “The union leaders reached an agreement, but it still had to be approved by the rank and file.”
- “While the CEO made the strategic decisions, the rank and file were responsible for the day-to-day operations.”
English Synonyms & Near Equivalents
English Antonyms & Opposites
Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown
Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “the rank and file”.
The term originated in the 18th century as a military expression. In infantry formations, soldiers stood in 'ranks' (side-by-side rows) and 'files' (front-to-back columns). The 'rank and file' referred to the ordinary soldiers who made up the body of the army, as opposed to the commissioned officers. Over time, the term migrated from military jargon to general use, describing the common members of any organization or society.
Think of a military parade: the 'ranks' are the rows and the 'files' are the columns of ordinary soldiers, not the generals standing at the front.
Frequently Asked Questions About “the rank and file”
1. What is the meaning of “the rank and file” in English?
In English, the rank and file (idiom) is defined as: “The ordinary members of an organization, group, or society, excluding the leaders or those in positions of authority.”.
2. How do you use “the rank and file” in a sentence?
“The union leaders reached an agreement, but it still had to be approved by the rank and file.”
3. What are English synonyms of “the rank and file”?
4. What is the etymology and word origin of “the rank and file”?
The term originated in the 18th century as a military expression. In infantry formations, soldiers stood in 'ranks' (side-by-side rows) and 'files' (front-to-back columns). The 'rank and file' referred to the ordinary soldiers who made up the body of the army, as opposed to the commissioned officers. Over time, the term migrated from military jargon to general use, describing the common members of any organization or society.
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