in disorder—showing absence of order; in confusion:
- Investigators said they found some of his personal belongings and papers in disorder.
not in order —(also: out of order)
1. (of a machine, etc.) not working properly:
- Noting that the elevator is not in order, she dials for a repairman and waits for his arrival.
2. (of a passport, etc.) not valid; not as it should be:
- Joel apparently could not stay in Istanbul (he was deported as his papers were not in order)….
3. (formal) not in conformity with the prescribed mode of behavior:
- It is not in order to interrupt and the Senator would not have been interrupted had I been in the Chair.