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in order
*in order
properly arranged. (*Typically: get something ~; have something ~; put something ~.) Please get your desk in order. I wish you would put things in order!
in order
1. complete and correct Make sure the legal documents are signed and in order. It looks like everything is in order.
2. right for the occasion Now that you're a college graduate, I think congratulations are in order! A speech seemed to be in order, but I wasn't sure what I should say.
3. with the particular aim or purpose Your bags will be searched in order that security can be maintained. He came home early in order to make some phone calls.
in order
1. In proper sequence or arrangement, as in The children lined up in order of size, or Are the letters all in order? [c. 1400]
2. Suitable, correct, appropriate, as in A few words on this subject are in order now. [Mid-1800s]
4. in order that. So that, to the end or purpose that, as in In order that Bob can meet my husband, we've come early. [Early 1700s]
5. in order to. For the purpose of, as a means to, as in We'll have to hire more help in order to finish on time. This usage always precedes a verb, such as finish in the example. [c. 1700]