marching orders

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈmɑɹtʃɪŋˌɔɹɾɹ̩z/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

marching orders pl (plural only)

1. Instructions for action.

   I get my marching orders directly from the president.

2. (UK) A dismissal: an instruction to leave.

   Synonyms: (US) walking papers, (US) walking ticket

   • 2011 October 20, Michael da Silva, “Stoke 3 - 0 Macc Tel-Aviv”, in BBC Sport‎:

     Riled by a decision that went against him, Ziv kicked his displaced boot at the assistant referee and, after a short consultation between the officials, he was given his marching orders and the loudest cheer of the night.

Derived terms

• get one's marching orders

Translations

instruction to leave

Finnish: potkut (fi) pl, rukkaset (fi) pl, pakit (fi) pl