marching orders

marching orders
1. Mil. orders to begin a march or other troop movement.
2. Informal.
a. orders to start out, move on, proceed, etc.: We're just sitting by the phone, awaiting our marching orders.
b. notice of dismissal from a position or job; walking papers.
[1770-80]

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем решить контрольную работу

Look at other dictionaries:

  • marching orders — UK US noun [plural] (US INFORMAL walking papers) ► HR, WORKPLACE if you give someone their marching orders, you ask them to leave a job, usually because they have done something wrong: »She was called into the manager s office and given her… …   Financial and business terms

  • marching orders — n. 1. orders to march, go, or leave 2. notice of dismissal …   English World dictionary

  • marching orders — ► NOUN 1) instructions for troops to depart. 2) informal a dismissal …   English terms dictionary

  • marching orders — UK [ˈmɑː(r)tʃɪŋ ˌɔː(r)də(r)z] / US [ˈmɑrtʃɪŋ ˌɔrdərz] noun [plural] informal an act of telling someone that they must leave a place or that they are no longer wanted, needed, or employed give someone their marching orders: The boss gave him his… …   English dictionary

  • marching orders — noun 1. (informal) a notice of dismissal or discharge • Syn: ↑walking papers • Hypernyms: ↑dismissal, ↑dismission, ↑pink slip 2. an order from a superior officer for troops to depart …   Useful english dictionary

  • marching orders — n. notice of dismissal (colloq.) (BE) to give smb. her/his marching orders (AE has walking papers) * * * [ mɑːtʃɪŋˌɔːdəz] [ notice of dismissal ] (colloq.) (BE) to give smb. her/his marching orders (AE has walking papers) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • marching orders — march|ing or|ders [ martʃıŋ ,ɔrdərz ] noun plural INFORMAL an act of telling someone that they must leave a place or that they are no longer wanted, needed, or employed: give someone their marching orders: The boss gave him his marching orders… …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • marching orders — /ˈmatʃɪŋ ɔdəz / (say mahching awduhz) plural noun 1. Military directions to soldiers to proceed in order to take position for battle, etc.: the brigade received its marching orders shortly after the general s visit. 2. orders to leave; dismissal… …  

  • marching orders — noun /ˈmɑɹtʃɪŋˌɔɹɾɹ̩z/ a) Instructions for action. I get my marching orders directly from the president. b) Dismissal: an instruction to leave …   Wiktionary

  • marching orders —    dismissal from employment    Not immediately into action but permanently out of it:     Sir John Brown said the oil giant... had given 12,000 employees their marching orders by the end of July with another 2,500 expected by the end of the year …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”