Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
rank and file — ˌrank and ˈfile noun the rank and file the ordinary members of a union, who are not union officials: • So far, leaders are maintaining discipline among the rank and file. rank and file adjective [only before a noun] : • rank and file union… … Financial and business terms
rank-and-file — ˌrank and ˈfile noun the rank and file the ordinary members of a union, who are not union officials: • So far, leaders are maintaining discipline among the rank and file. rank and file adjective [only before a noun] : • rank and file union… … Financial and business terms
rank and file — n the rank and file the ordinary members of an organization rather than the leaders ▪ The rank and file of the party had lost confidence in the leadership. >rank and file adj [only before noun] ▪ the rank and file members of the trade union … Dictionary of contemporary English
rank-and-file — the rank and file the ordinary members of an organization and not its leaders. Nearly two thirds of the vote went to union leaders and rank and file party activists. (always before noun) … New idioms dictionary
rank and file — The rank and file are the ordinary members of a company, organisation, etc, excluding the managers and directors … The small dictionary of idiomes
rank and file — ► rank and file the ordinary members of an organization as opposed to its leaders. [ORIGIN: referring to the ‘ranks’ and ‘files’ into which privates and non commissioned officers form on parade.] Main Entry: ↑rank … English terms dictionary
the rank and file — 1 the officers and the rank and file: OTHER RANKS, soldiers, NCOs, lower ranks; men, troops. 2 a speech appealing to the rank and file: THE (COMMON) PEOPLE, the proletariat, the masses, the populace, the commonality, the commonalty, the third… … Useful english dictionary
rank and file — noun the rank and file the ordinary members of an organization rather than the leaders: The rank and file of the party had lost confidence in the leadership … Longman dictionary of contemporary English
rank and file — {n. phr.} Ordinary people; the regular membership of an organization; the enlisted privates in the Army. * /The general usually inspects the rank and file on specific national holidays./ * /The secretary of the association sends letters annually… … Dictionary of American idioms
rank and file — {n. phr.} Ordinary people; the regular membership of an organization; the enlisted privates in the Army. * /The general usually inspects the rank and file on specific national holidays./ * /The secretary of the association sends letters annually… … Dictionary of American idioms
