marching orders
Americanplural noun
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Military. orders to begin a march or other troop movement.
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Informal.
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orders to start out, move on, proceed, etc..
We're just sitting by the phone, awaiting our marching orders.
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notice of dismissal from a position or job; walking papers.
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plural noun
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military orders, esp to infantry, giving instructions about a march, its destination, etc
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informal notice of dismissal, esp from employment
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informal the instruction to proceed with a task
Etymology
Origin of marching orders
First recorded in 1770–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After giving marching orders to Senate Republicans, Trump wrapped his day with a visit to Graceland, the palatial former home of Elvis Presley.
From Salon ● Mar. 23, 2026
Davies recently traveled to the U.S. from London with marching orders from a few friends: “I’ve got to bring them back a Trader Joe’s tote.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 3, 2026
He was also one of the players to be given their marching orders when Spurs were last reduced to nine players in a league match, against Chelsea in 2023.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2025
Senegal midfielder Gueye was given his marching orders by referee Tony Harrington in the 13th minute after putting his hand to Keane's face following an angry altercation.
From Barron's ● Nov. 24, 2025
With Hunt and Liddy convicted, reporters and prosecutors were looking higher, wondering who had issued their marching orders.
From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
