Make a row, as rankers are told to do (6)

'do' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both related to communication as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'make a row as rankers are told' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'row' could be 'line' (as in a row of things) and 'line' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'up' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?