ordinary

in ordinary

1. In regular or active service (to another person). Primarily heard in UK. I'm the counsel in ordinary to the prime minister—please let me through! There must be a chaplain in ordinary around here—it is a hospital, after all. No, you've seen him before—he's the physician in ordinary to the king.

2. Of a naval vessel, not currently being used. No, that ship is in ordinary these days—it needs some extensive repairs. It's been decades since my naval service, so I can't imagine that my ship is still in ordinary. Engine trouble. That's why she's in ordinary now.

See also: ordinary

in the normal course of events

As things typically unfold, take place, or happen. In the normal course of events, we would have arranged for a follow-up interview to take place right away, but things were so chaotic that it never happened. Profits are going to be down this quarter, since, in the normal course of events, site traffic slows down over the summer months. The holidays are nearly here—doesn't everyone feel increasingly stressed in the normal course of events?

See also: course, event, normal, of

in the normal course of things

As things typically unfold, take place, or happen. In the normal course of things, we would have arranged for a follow-up interview to take place right away, but things were so chaotic that it never happened. Profits are going to be down this quarter, since, in the normal course of things, site traffic slows down over the summer months. The holidays are nearly here—doesn't everyone feel increasingly stressed in the normal course of things?

See also: course, normal, of, thing

in the ordinary course of events

As things typically unfold, take place, or happen. In the ordinary course of events, we would have arranged for a follow-up interview to take place right away, but things were so chaotic that it never happened. Profits are going to be down this quarter, since, in the ordinary course of events, site traffic slows down over the summer months. The holidays are nearly here—doesn't everyone feel increasingly stressed in the ordinary course of events?

See also: course, event, of, ordinary

in the ordinary course of things

As things typically unfold, take place, or happen. In the ordinary course of things, we would have arranged for a follow-up interview to take place right away, but things were so chaotic that it never happened. Profits are going to be down this quarter, since, in the ordinary course of things, site traffic slows down over the summer months. The holidays are nearly here—doesn't everyone feel increasingly stressed in the ordinary course of things?

See also: course, of, ordinary, thing

in the ordinary way

1. In the normal, standard, or typical fashion or means. The issue will have to work its way through the courts in the ordinary way before the Supreme Court will consider the case. I know you're the boss's nephew, but there are no shortcuts here. If you want a promotion, you'll have to pursue it in the ordinary way—through hard work and effort. Our love story unfolded in the ordinary way, I'd say—we met, became friends, and eventually started going out.

2. As usual; as to be expected. We told him to be there at 9 PM on the dot, but, in the ordinary way, he showed up about 15 minutes late. And, in the ordinary way, he ignored my instructions. It's so frustrating, but I don't know why I'm even surprised at this point. A: "Wait, you haven't gotten your test results?" B: "Nope. In the ordinary way, the doctor still has yet to call me."

See also: ordinary, way

out of the ordinary

Not usual or common; exceptional; beyond or outside of one's normal expectations. We need to investigate the warehouse to figure out what's tripping the security alarms. Just keep your eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary. A: "How did the meeting go?" B: "It was fine, nothing out of the ordinary."

See also: of, ordinary, out

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

out of the ordinary

unusual. It was a good meal, but not out of the ordinary. Your report was nicely done, but nothing out of the ordinary.

See also: of, ordinary, out

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

out of the ordinary

Unusual, uncommon, exceptional, as in The venison they served was certainly out of the ordinary. This expression sometimes, but not always, indicates that something is better than the usual. However, the negative version, nothing out of the ordinary, usually indicates that something is not special or outstanding, as in It was an interesting lecture, but nothing out of the ordinary.

See also: of, ordinary, out

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

in the ordinary, normal, etc. course of eˈvents, ˈthings, etc.

as things usually happen: In the normal course of events we would not treat her disappearance as suspicious.

See also: course, of

in the ordinary ˈway

(British English) used to say what normally happens in a particular situation: In the ordinary way, she’s not a nervous person.

See also: ordinary, way

out of the ˈordinary

unusual; strange: His new book is certainly out of the ordinary. I’ve never read anything like it before.

See also: of, ordinary, out

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017