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What is Out of order in English? Structure and usage of Out of order in English

Out of order is a phrase commonly encountered in English communication and exams. If Out of means "no longer in", then what is Out of order in English? To find the accurate answer, let's explore the following article with PREP!

I. What is Out of order in English?
II. How to use Out of order in English
III. Synonymous phrases with Out of order in English
IV. Differentiating Out of order and Out of work
V. Exercises about Out of order in English
VI. Master IELTS Like a Pro

I. What is Out of order in English?

What is Out of order in English? Out of order is an English idiomatic expression pronounced as /aʊt əv ˈɔː.dər/ and carries the meaning of: unpleasant or not suitable and it is likely to upset or offend people; not operating because it is broken; remarks or actions that are out of order are not acceptable under the rules. For example:

Jack’s behavior in the meeting was out of order.
Jennie must walk up the stairs because the elevator is out of order.

II. How to use Out of order in English

Out of order is often used after the verb "to be". When used in English, Out of order can express various meanings depending on the context. Here are the most common usages of Out of order in English. Examples:

Usage of Out of order in English	Example
Describing objects or machines that are broken, no longer functioning, or usable.	I cannot believe the projector is out of order again.
Referring to rules or regulations that are incorrect or not in the correct sequence.	The pages of your report are out of order – page five is followed by page ten!
Describing words, actions, or behaviors that are inappropriate and may make others uncomfortable or offended.	Lisa’s behavior in the class was out of order.

III. Synonymous phrases with Out of order in English

Let's check out some synonymous phrases with Out of order in English with PREP below!

Synonym for Out of order in English	Meaning	Example
Out of whack	not operating correctly or looking right	You can use Peter's old bike - the gears are out of whack, but it still goes.
Out of kilter	not in the exactly right position or condition or is not working in the usual or proper way	Long flights throw my sleeping pattern out of kilter for days.
On the blink	(of a machine) not working properly	The freezer is on the blink.
On the fritz	(of a machine or device) not working properly	The oven's on the fritz again - call the repairman.
Broken	having been fractured or damaged and no longer in one piece or in working order	The microwave's broken.
Defunct	no longer existing, living, or working correctly	The TV's defunct!
Inappropriate	not suitable or proper in the circumstances.	John’s casual behavior was wholly inappropriate for such a formal occasion.
Disorganized	not properly planned and controlled	Robert’s impossible to work for - he's so disorganized.
Unsystematized	not arranged in accord with a definite plan or scheme	The company's document storage system is unsystematized, with scattered files in multiple folders.

IV. Differentiating Out of order and Out of work

After understanding Out of order in English clearly, let's differentiate between Out of order and Out of work with PREP below!

Distinguish Out of order and Out of work	Out of order	Out of work
Meaning	Unpleasant or not suitable and it is likely to upset or offend people Not operating because it is broken Remarks or actions that are out of order are not acceptable under the rules	Without a paid job
Example	This coffee machine is out of order.	I've been out of work for the past six months.

V. Exercises about Out of order in English

To further understand what Out of order in English means, let's complete the following exercises with PREP!

Exercise 1: Complete the following sentences with the words in brackets:

I can’t believe the laser printer is _______ again. (order)
I think the system in general is _______. (whack)
If your washing machine is _______, you will need to contact a service technician. (blink)
Our coffee machine is _______. Let’s get it fixed. (fritz)
The mill went _______ about 1843, was demolished and forgotten. (kilter)

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer:

The vending machine is __________. It's not functioning properly.
1. out of order
2. out of work
3. out of stock
I'm sorry, but the item you're looking for is __________.
1. out of order
2. out of work
3. out of stock
Due to the strike, many employees are currently __________.
1. out of order
2. out of work
3. out of stock
The elevator is currently __________. Please use the stairs.
1. out of order
2. out of work
3. out of stock
I'm sorry, we don't have any more of that product available. It's __________.
1. out of order
2. out of work
3. out of stock

Answer:

Exercise 1:

Out of order
Out of whack
On the blink
On the fritz
Out of kilter

Exercise 2:

VI. Master IELTS Like a Pro

PREP hopes that through this article, you have gained a clear understanding of what Out of order in English means, its structure, usage, and synonymous phrases. If you want to learn the secrets to IELTS success? Explore these powerful resources below:

IELTS course: Master Every Section of IELTS

Master Tu Pham

Founder/CEO at Prep

Founder of Prep Smart Test Preparation Platform. With over 10 years of experience in teaching and test preparation, Mr. Tú has helped thousands of students achieve high scores in the IELTS exam. In addition, Mr. Tú Phạm is also a consulting expert in British Council programs and a speaker at many leading educational events, programs, and conferences.