in order

*in order

properly arranged. (*Typically: get something \in order; have something \in order; put something \in order.) •

Please get your desk in order.

•

I wish you would put things in order!

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{adv.} or {adj. phr.} 1. In arrangement; in the proper way of following one another. * /Come to my desk in alphabetical order as I call your names./ * /Line up and walk to the door in order./ * /Name all the presidents in order./ Compare: IN TURN. 2. In proper condition. * /The car was in good working order when I bought it./ * /The club leader looked at the club treasurer's records of money collected and spent, and found them all in order./ Compare: IN COMMISSION(2), PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER. 3. Following the rules; proper; suitable. * /Is it in order to ask the speaker questions at the meeting?/ * /At the end of a program, applause for the performers is in order./ Compare: IN PLACE. Contrast: OUT OF ORDER. 4. See: PUT ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER or SET ONE'S HOUSE IN ORDER.