order of the day
C1Formal, journalistic, military
Definition
Meaning
The prevailing trend, custom, or most important priority at a particular time.
In formal settings (e.g., military, parliament), the official schedule or agenda for a day's proceedings; a command issued for a specific day in military contexts.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used metaphorically in contemporary English to describe what is typical, required, or fashionable. The literal military/parliamentary sense is less common but context-specific.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is equally used in both varieties in its metaphorical sense. The literal procedural sense (e.g., in parliament) is more frequent in UK contexts due to its parliamentary system.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly formal. In British political context, it specifically refers to the day's parliamentary business.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties for the metaphorical sense.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject: trend/priority] + be + the order of the daymake + [object: trend/priority] + the order of the dayVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Par for the course”
- “The name of the game”
- “The done thing”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Streamlining processes is the order of the day as we prepare for the merger.'
Academic
In 18th-century studies, a focus on class structure is often the order of the day.
Everyday
With this heatwave, shorts and cold drinks are the order of the day.
Technical
In military history, a specific 'order of the day' was a formal command issued to troops.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The Prime Minister ordered the day's proceedings to begin.
- The general ordered a day of rest for the troops.
American English
- The CEO ordered the day's focus to be on client reviews.
- The coach ordered a day of light training.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- On the first sunny day, picnics in the park are the order of the day.
- In the current economic climate, cautious spending has become the order of the day.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a commander issuing the single most important command FOR THIS DAY. It's what's on the agenda right now.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A SCHEDULE (The current time period is conceptualized as having a prescribed agenda).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'порядок дня' (which typically means 'agenda' or 'daily routine') for the metaphorical sense. Better equivalents: 'норма', 'главный приоритет', 'то, что сейчас в моде'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'an order of the day' (the article 'the' is fixed).
- Confusing it with 'daily order' or 'routine'.
- Using it for personal, one-off tasks ('Doing the laundry is the order of the day for me').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'order of the day' used LITERALLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be used for both. It simply describes what is prevalent, whether desirable (e.g., 'optimism') or undesirable (e.g., 'layoffs').
It's not typical. The phrase describes a general, often social or collective, trend or priority, not an individual's checklist.
It originates from the military, referring to the specific commands or tasks issued for a particular day. It was later adopted by parliamentary procedure.
It is neutral to formal. It's common in writing (news, reports) and formal speech. In casual conversation, simpler terms like 'the norm' or 'what everyone's doing' might be used.