The brass band passed by, marching four abreast.
abreast - side by side The parade had six drummers marching abreast.
We have been abreast of this situation for a time now.
I have information here to keep you abreast of the situation, sir.
The president wants to stay abreast of the most recent developments in Libya. OR The protest marchers walked arm-in-arm, five abreast down the street.
Being abreast means being side by side.
draw abreast = gleichziehen
The origin of abreast is late Middle English: from A- 'in' + breast.
If a company used UPS as their primary delivery system they could stay abreast of all the changing postal rates. They could establish an account and would be alerted to changes in prices.
Together
uniform
Along side at the same level (think of runners crossing a finishing line "breast to breast" they are abreast of each other and finish at the same time).
it means walking side to side