# put one's affairs in order

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/put-ones-affairs-in-order
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To prepare for the end of, or a radical change in, one's life.

## Examples

- He decided to put his affairs in order before moving abroad.
- After receiving a difficult diagnosis, she spent the weekend putting her affairs in order to ensure her family would be taken care of.
- The aging patriarch spent his final months quietly putting his affairs in order, meticulously documenting his wishes so that his heirs would face no confusion after his passing.

---

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.