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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Regardless, Sotos said, his firm took its marching orders from the law department, which continued to push the legal fight. Joe Mahr, Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2026 Most keep calm and create a compelling-enough distraction as if fulfilling marching orders, their escapism a duty. Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 10 Mar. 2026 Gonzalez allegedly received her marching orders from her husband, Jorge Gonzales, a Mexican Mafia member held in a California state prison. Brittny Mejia, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026 Zoll is doing his best to piece together a bullpen for the Twins, who were under different marching orders from ownership last July. Dan Hayes, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026 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 1 Apr. 2026.

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