out of turn
Idioms-
Not in the proper order or sequence, as in When her doubles partner began to serve out of turn, their opponents called the umpire . [Late 1800s]
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In an inappropriate manner or at an inappropriate time, as in I may be out of turn telling you, but shorts are not permitted in the restaurant . [First half of 1900s] Also see speak out of turn .
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.
In one viral TikTok video, members of a senior-living community accuse their ex-friend of foul play: taking tiles out of turn and refusing to reveal her “winning” hands.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 17, 2026
One woman was escorted out by a pair of police officers for yelling and speaking out of turn.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2025
Still, we’re not sure he was entirely speaking out of turn here.
From Slate ● Feb. 15, 2025
He added, “I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn or did not speak up for what is right.”
From New York Times ● Mar. 15, 2024
"I hope I have not spoken out of turn, my lady. I meant no offense."
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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.
