put house in order



put one's house in order

Fig. to put one's business or personal affairs into good order. (As if one were cleaning one's house. See also put one's own house in order.) There was some trouble in the department office and the manager was told to put his house in order. Every now and then, I have to put my house in order. Then life becomes more manageable.
See also: house, order, put

put your (own) house in order

also get your (own) house in order
to solve your own problems You should put your own house in order before you start giving me advice.
Usage notes: usually said about someone who has many problems but criticizes others for not taking care of their problems
Related vocabulary: have your ducks in a row
See also: house, order, put

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
BerBERYiddish
Ya-Chinese
Sundara-Hinduism
Libitina-Roman Mythology
Naira-Native American, Quechua, Aymara
Leonor-Spanish, Portuguese