"the entrance was guarded by ranks of policemen"

"his salary was determined by his rank and seniority"

"the strike was supported by the union rank and file"
"he rose from the ranks to become a colonel"

"the British are more aware of social status than Americans are"

"they polled their membership"
"they found dissension in their own ranks"
"he joined the ranks of the unemployed"

"rank earth"

"a rank cigar"

"a crying shame"
"an egregious lie"
"flagrant violation of human rights"
"a glaring error"
"gross ineptitude"
"gross injustice"
"rank treachery"

"absolute freedom"
"an absolute dimwit"
"a downright lie"
"out-and-out mayhem"
"an out-and-out lie"
"a rank outsider"
"many right-down vices"
"got the job through sheer persistence"
"sheer stupidity"

"rank jungle vegetation"

"This painting ranks among the best in the Western World"

"how would you rank these students?"
"The restaurant is rated highly in the food guide"