be in holy orders

be in holy orders

Said of a priest. ("Holy Orders" is the sacrament by which one becomes a priest.) Michael always wanted to be a priest, so I'm not surprised to hear that he's in holy orders now.

See also: holy, order

be in/take (holy) ˈorders

be/become a priest: He wanted to take holy orders, but his father had other plans for him.

See also: order, take