marching orders

plural noun

: authoritative orders or instructions especially to set out on or as if on a march

Examples of marching orders in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Ruby-Sachs said the organization prides itself on taking marching orders directly from its members, unlike a traditional policy or a lobbying group. Jared Perlo, NBC news, 15 Oct. 2025 Shannon’s marching orders for Year 1 were to defend, rebound and get out in transition, all the dirty work to support teammates like fellow freshman Jahmi’us Ramsey, the first five-star recruit in Red Raiders history, and junior guard Davide Moretti. Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025 Continue reading … THE WEISS WAY – CBS News staffers receive marching orders from new boss. FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2025 In emails to Daugaard — and, in at least one case, internally — city officials cited uncertainty created by a looming budget deficit as one of the main reasons for the new marching orders. Ashley Hiruko, ProPublica, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for marching orders

Word History

First Known Use

1714, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of marching orders was in 1714

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Cite this Entry

“Marching orders.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marching%20orders. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.

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