out of joint

out of joint

1. Dislocated, as in Trying to break his fall, he put his shoulder out of joint. [Late 1300s]

2. See nose out of joint.

3. Out of order, inauspicious or unsatisfactory, as in The entire lineup of our team is out of joint. Shakespeare had this term in Hamlet (1:5): "The time is out of joint." [Early 1400s]

See also: joint, of, out

out of joint

1 (of a specified joint) out of position; dislocated. 2 in a state of disorder or disorientation.

2 1601 William Shakespeare Hamlet The time is out of joint.

See also: joint, of, out

out of ˈjoint

1 (of a bone) pushed out of its correct position
2 not working or behaving in the normal way: Time is thrown completely out of joint in the opening chapters of the book.

See also: joint, of, out

out of joint

1. Dislocated, as a bone.

2. Informal

a. Not harmonious; inconsistent.

b. Out of order; inauspicious or unsatisfactory.

c. In bad spirits or humor; out of sorts.

See also: joint, of, out