Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

circle the wagons

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.42 in modern English

Syllables
cir-cle the wag-ons
IPA
26
Scrabble Score
15
Letters
3
Syllables
13
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.

verb

To prepare to defend against an attack or criticism.

Etymology

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.

Inflected Forms

circles the wagons (present, singular) circling the wagons (participle, present) circled the wagons (participle, past) circled the wagons (past) circle one's wagons (alternative)

Phrases

close ranks

Frequently Paired Words

close ranks laager

Questions

What does circle the wagons mean?
To draw a wagon train into a circle to allow the wagons to provide cover when under attack.
Where does circle the wagons come from?
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.

How to pronounce circle the wagons

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “circle the wagons”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “circle the wagons”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “circle the wagons” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.