out of order — not working properly; broken or malfunctioning
Part of speech: ADJECTIVE
Definition: not working properly; broken or malfunctioning
Pronunciation (IPA): /aʊt əv ˈɔːrdər/
Example Sentences
- The coffee machine has been out of order for three weeks - I'm going through caffeine withdrawal!
- The printer is out of order again, so I guess we're going back to the stone age.
- His rude interruption during the meeting was totally out of order.
out of order
ADJECTIVE[/aʊt əv ˈɔːrdər/]
not working properly; broken or malfunctioning

The office printer is out of order again, so everyone groans at the warning sign.

Out of order recorder brings total disorder!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word 'order' derives from Latin 'ordo', meaning arrangement or sequence. The phrase 'out of order' emerged in Middle English to describe something that deviates from proper sequence or functioning.
Breakdown
out (away from) + of (belonging to) + order (arrangement or proper sequence, from Latin ordo). The phrase literally means 'away from proper arrangement'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The coffee machine has been out of order for three weeks - I'm going through caffeine withdrawal!”
“The printer is out of order again, so I guess we're going back to the stone age.”
“His rude interruption during the meeting was totally out of order.”
“The ATM is out of order, leaving me financially stranded like a penguin in the desert.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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