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rally around

B1 neutral inseparable both
In simple words

When lots of people get together to help or support one person who is having a hard time.

Literal meaning: People physically grouping around a central point — a military image of troops gathering.

Meanings

1 B1 idiomatic neutral

To come together as a group to offer support to someone facing difficulty or crisis.

"When their mother was diagnosed with cancer, the whole family rallied around to help."

"The community rallied around the family after the fire destroyed their home."

— The New York Times, 2018
Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 idiomatic neutral

To unite in support of a cause, leader, or idea, especially in a time of conflict.

"Voters rallied around the candidate after the scandal, seeing him as a victim of unfair attacks."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Can be used with or without an object: 'Everyone rallied around' (intransitive) or 'Everyone rallied around her' (transitive). Often used in political contexts (rallying around a leader) or personal crises. Primarily American English; 'rally round' is the British preference.

Commonly used with

family community leader cause flag friend

Forms

Base
rally around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
rallies around
he/she/it
Past simple
rallied around
yesterday
Past participle
rallied around
have + pp
-ing form
rallying around
continuous

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