marching orders

plural noun

1. Military.,  orders to begin a march or other troop movement.

2. Informal.

   1. orders to start out, move on, proceed, etc..

      We're just sitting by the phone, awaiting our marching orders.

   2. notice of dismissal from a position or job; walking papers.

marching orders

plural noun

1. military orders, esp to infantry, giving instructions about a march, its destination, etc

2. informal,  notice of dismissal, esp from employment

3. informal,  the instruction to proceed with a task

Word History and Origins

Origin of marching orders¹

First recorded in 1770–80