Phrasal Verbs

order about

This page is about the phrasal verb order about

British English

Meaning

If you order people about, you tell them what to do in a bossy way.

Synonym

order around, boss around (informal), boss about (informal)

For example

  • order sb about The workers hate the way their supervisor orders them about. They say she's rude and bossy.

  • be ordered about Army recruits soon get used to being ordered about.

Variety

This is typically used in British English but may be used in other varieties of English too.

Quick Quiz

The office workers were being ordered about by their

a. cleaning staff

b. junior assistants

c. office manager
a) cleaning staff b) junior assistants c) office manager

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1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context

Contributor: Matt Errey