Definition

1. Noun:
   • A formal command from a military superior for troops to begin moving or departing: This is the original, literal meaning, referring to the official orders given to soldiers to commence a march or deployment.
   • (Informal) A notice of dismissal or discharge from a job or position: This is a common figurative extension, meaning an official notification that one's employment or involvement is being terminated.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal - Military):

  • The regiment received its marching orders at dawn and began the long trek to the front.
  • Before the battle, the general issued new marching orders to all battalion commanders.

• Noun (Figurative - Dismissal):

  • After the project failed, the entire team was given their marching orders.
  • He was underperforming for months, so getting his marching orders wasn't a surprise.

Advanced Usage

• "to get one's marching orders": This is the most common idiomatic phrase, meaning to be formally dismissed or fired.
  • The CEO got her marching orders from the board of directors after the scandal.
• "to give someone their marching orders": This phrase means to formally dismiss or fire someone.
  • The manager had to give the unreliable contractor his marching orders.

Variants and Related Words

• Pink slip (n): (Informal) A notice of dismissal from employment. (A common synonym in the figurative sense).
• Dismissal notice (n): A more formal term for a written notice terminating employment.
• Deployment orders (n): A related military term for orders to move forces to a specific operational area.

Synonyms

• Notice of termination: A formal phrase for a dismissal notice.
• The sack / to get the sack: (Informal) To be dismissed from a job.
• Walking papers: (Informal, chiefly US) A notice of dismissal.

Related Phrases

• To be shown the door: An idiomatic expression meaning to be asked to leave, often from a job or position.
  • His constant lateness finally got him shown the door.
• To get the boot: (Informal) To be dismissed or ejected.
  • The player got the boot from the team for violating the rules.

Related Idioms

• "Your services are no longer required": A formal, often euphemistic, phrase used to indicate dismissal.
  • He was told, "Your services are no longer required," which was just a polite way of giving him his marching orders.

Noun

1. an order from a superior officer for troops to depart
2. (informal) a notice of dismissal or discharge