1 B1 idiomatic informal
To give someone a series of commands in a bossy, disrespectful way.
"He treats his employees terribly, ordering them around like they're servants."
separable
order around
B1 informal separable transitive
To give someone repeated commands in a domineering and disrespectful way.
In plain English
To boss someone around and keep telling them what to do.
What does "order around" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To send orders around (to different people or in all directions).
Actually means
To boss someone around and keep telling them what to do.
Usage tip
More common in American English than 'order about'. Always implies disapproval of the commanding behaviour. Frequently used in the pattern 'I won't be ordered around by...'
Words that pair with "order around"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
everyone staff children employees people subordinates
How to conjugate "order around"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
order around
I/you/we/they
3rd person
orders around
he/she/it
Past simple
ordered around
yesterday
Past participle
ordered around
have + pp
-ing form
ordering around
continuous
Hear "order around" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "order around" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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