order about
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To keep telling someone what to do in a bossy, rude way.
Literal meaning: To send orders around (to various people or in various directions).
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To give someone repeated commands in a rude and domineering manner.
"She was sick of being ordered about by her manager in front of customers."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Chiefly British. Always implies the speaker disapproves of the commanding behaviour — it is never neutral. Often used in complaints ('stop ordering me about!').
Commonly used with
staff subordinates children everyone people partner
Forms
Base
order about
I/you/we/they
3rd person
orders about
he/she/it
Past simple
ordered about
yesterday
Past participle
ordered about
have + pp
-ing form
ordering about
continuous
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