get one's marching orders
Told to leave
To get one's marching orders is to receive instructions to leave or begin a task—often an unwelcome dismissal.
From military contexts where soldiers receive orders to move out, it now commonly means being fired or told to go: After the merger, half the department got their marching orders.
Sometimes simply means receiving directions for what to do next.
- layoffTermination without cause
- terminationAct of ending something
- pink slipEmployment termination notice
- walking papersInformal dismissal notice
- commandAuthoritative instruction given
departure · order · resignation · relocation · deployment · mobilization · discharge · firing · given the boot · shown the door · downsizing · directive · sack · let go · unemployment · job loss · redundancy · expulsion
get one's marching orderscall the shots
Exercise ultimate authority
run the show · take the helm · wear the pants · hold the reins
getting, marches, marched, marching, marcher, marchers, orders, ordered, ordering