Choose the appropriate word to fill in the blank in the given sentence:-
The rank and ____ of the party had turned against the leader.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 3
The correct answer is Option (3) → file
The rank and file is a fixed expression meaning the ordinary members of a group, as opposed to its leaders. It comes from the army, where soldiers stood in ranks (rows) and files (columns). Here it means the ordinary party workers turned against their leader.
Example: The union leaders agreed, but the rank and file voted against the deal.