# get one's marching orders

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/get-ones-marching-orders
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be dismissed disgracefully.

## Examples

- He got his marching orders after he was caught stealing from the office.
- The manager was shocked when the board of directors gave him his marching orders for failing to meet the quarterly targets.
- After years of mediocre performance and repeated warnings, the employee finally received his marching orders and was escorted from the building by security.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.