# put one's house in order

idiom

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

## Meaning

To organize one's financial and other affairs, especially in preparation for a life-changing event.

## Examples

- You should put your house in order before you move abroad.
- The company faced a major audit, so the manager spent the weekend trying to put his house in order.
- Before embarking on his final journey, the aging merchant sought to put his house in order, ensuring his debts were settled and his heirs were provided for.

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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.