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marching orders

plural noun

Military.��orders to begin a march or other troop movement.
Informal.��
1. orders to start out, move on, proceed, etc..
  We're just sitting by the phone, awaiting our marching orders.
2. notice of dismissal from a position or job; walking papers.

marching orders

plural noun

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

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Word History and Origins

Origin of marching orders¹

First recorded in 1770–80

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

That son, now a 23-year-old man, said he no longer responds unquestioningly to his father’s marching orders.

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And thus Rob Pelinka, their newly minted president of basketball operations with a newly extended contract, has been giving his summer marching orders.

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Social media platforms often resist moderation for business purposes, but under political pressure, they will act upon moderation marching orders from whoever is in power.

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With such a strong leader, the Democratic Party would now have its marching orders instead of being lost and slowly forming a circular firing squad.

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Scott's optimism runs counter to Trump's marching orders, however.

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marching girl marching orders, get one's

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