out of turn


out of turn

1. Not in the correct order. Hey, you can't go out of turn—get behind the rest of us who have been waiting in line!2. In an impudent manner or with inappropriate timing. This usage usually refers to someone speaking in such a way. I hope I'm not talking out of turn, but I think we'd see a higher profit margin if we took better care of our employees' benefits.See also: of, out, turn

out of turn

not at the proper time; not in the proper or expected order. We were permitted to be served out of turn because we had to leave early. Bill tried to register out of turn and was sent away.See also: of, out, turn

out of turn

1. Not in the proper order or sequence, as in When her doubles partner began to serve out of turn, their opponents called the umpire. [Late 1800s] 2. In an inappropriate manner or at an inappropriate time, as in I may be out of turn telling you, but shorts are not permitted in the restaurant. [First half of 1900s] Also see speak out of turn. See also: of, out, turn

do something out of ˈturn


1 do something when you have no right to do it because another person should have done it before you; not in the correct order: There was an argument in the doctor’s waiting room because somebody had gone in to see him out of turn.
2 say or do something that you should not say because you have no right to or because it’s not the right time or place to say it: It is not the first time that Julia has said something out of turn.I apologize if I’ve spoken out of turn.See also: of, out, something, turn