circle the wagons

From the practice of drawing the wagons of a wagon-train into a circle to protect against attack, and also to keep cattle and other livestock within.

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

circle the wagons

1. To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.
2. (idiomatic) To prepare to defend against an attack or criticism.

• circle the wagons on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• laager