marching orders
plural noun
Military.
orders to begin a march or other troop movement.
Informal.
- orders to start out, move on, proceed, etc.: We're just sitting by the phone, awaiting our marching orders.
- notice of dismissal from a position or job; walking papers.
Origin of marching orders
First recorded in 1770–80
Words nearby marching orders
Example sentences from the Web for marching orders
The Faith, he begins to see, can take care of itself: for him, it is important to await his marching-orders with a clean breast.
News from the Duchy |Sir Arthur Thomas Quiller-CouchAs the Ranelagh faction very emphatically disapproved, Lumley was compelled to give the recruit her marching-orders.
The Magnificent Montez |Horace WyndhamHe now has his mobilization-papers, his marching-orders in his pocket.
The Secret of Sarek |Maurice Leblanc
British Dictionary definitions for marching orders
marching orders
pl n
military orders, esp to infantry, giving instructions about a march, its destination, etc
informal
notice of dismissal, esp from employment
informal
the instruction to proceed with a task