: an order of brief duration that is issued ex parte to protect the plaintiff's rights from immediate and irreparable injury by preserving a situation or preventing an act until a hearing for a preliminary …

mainly UK informal If something someone says or does is out of order, it is unpleasant or not suitable and it is likely to upset or offend people:

Nov 14, 2025 · With the lift in the block still out of order, they climbed the flights and flights of steps. When Dad finally put the key in the front door, both were weary beyond words.

Nov 20, 2023 · The idiom "out of order" is a versatile and common expression with different meanings depending on the context. It can describe machines, events, or people not functioning or behaving as …

If you say that someone or their behaviour is out of order, you mean that their behaviour is unacceptable or unfair.

incorrect according to the rules of parliamentary procedure: The chairwoman told him that he was out of order. Idioms to order, according to one's individual requirements or instructions: a suit made to …

OUT OF ORDER definition: Not functioning well, not operating properly or at all, as in The oil burner is out of order again . [Mid-1500s] See examples of out of order used in a sentence.

Aug 21, 2025 · What Does "Out of Order" Really Mean? First things first—let’s break down the phrase. “Out of order” is an idiomatic expression commonly used in English that indicates something is not …

If you say that someone or their behaviour is out of order, you mean that their behaviour is unacceptable or unfair. You don't think the paper's a bit out of order in publishing it?

"Out of order" is a common English idiom pronounced /aʊt əv ˈɔː.dər/. It typically follows the verb "to be" and carries multiple meanings depending on context, including mechanical failure, inappropriate …