out of order
Idioms-
Not functioning well, not operating properly or at all, as in The oil burner is out of order again . [Mid-1500s]
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Unsuitable, inappropriate, as in Her comments about the management were out of order . Also see out of line , def. 1.
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Not following parliamentary procedure, as in The chair called him out of order .
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.
The Sun splashes on Jarell Quansah, who has received a two-match ban at the World Cup, describing it as "out of order".
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
On Monday Mr. Khanna’s amendment was ruled out of order.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 1, 2026
Zimmer: And you’re doing it out of order, so you’re like, “Wait, I’m playing the end before I’ve even played the beginning, but I don’t even know what my beginning is.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 9, 2026
Dowson described the Bordeaux Begles players' confrontation with Pollock - whose 21st birthday is next week - at the final whistle of last year's match as "out of order".
From BBC ● Jan. 8, 2026
“You’re out of order, Miss New Hampshire. I’ll issue a warning. Next time it’s a penalty.”
From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray
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.
