Circle the wagons

Origin

The phrase evokes images of American pioneers and settlers traveling across the vast, often dangerous plains of the 19th century. When confronted by a threat, whether from Native American tribes or bandits, wagon masters would quickly command their teams to arrange the wagons in a tight circle. This formation created a makeshift fort, protecting the people, livestock, and supplies within, while providing a defensive perimeter from which to repel an attack. It became a powerful symbol of unity and defense against external threats, a desperate but effective strategy for survival in the untamed West, and the phrase quickly extended beyond its literal context to mean any defensive grouping.