be out of order

1. To not be in the correct sequence. OK, the pages of this report are definitely out of order—page four is followed by page seven. That's not how the song goes, so those verses must be out of order. No, that's not right. Let me take a look—something must be out of order.

2. To be broken or malfunctioning. According to the sign on the door, this restroom is out of order. Our washer is out of order, so I'm on my way to the laundromat. Aw man, the vending machine's out of order? But I'm hungry!

3. To act in an inappropriate or unacceptable way. That reporter was out of order when he asked questions about my personal life. I'm sorry about last night, I was out of order when I made those demands. Yeah, she was definitely out of order, but she apologized to me the next day.