No names, no pack-drill

If nobody is named as being responsible for something, then nobody can be blamed and punished. Also used more generally in favour of reticence on a subject. Pack-drill is a military punishment in which the offender is compelled to march up and down in full marching order.

Men had a way of omitting the names of those of whom they spoke; no names no pack-drill.
[1923 O. Onions Peace in our Time i. ii.]

I know some as are as sweet as the blossoms that bloom in the May—oh, no names, no pack drill.
[1925 S. O'casey Juno & Paycock ii. 61]

‘Do you know, I've heard of churches—no names, no pack-drill—who wait until the end of the year before stomping up.’
[2000 P. Lovesey Reaper iv. 47]

Related to: speech and silence

Bibliography of major proverb collections and works cited from modern editions is available here.