put one's affairs in order

English

Alternative forms

• get one's affairs in order
• settle one's affairs

Verb

put one's affairs in order (third-person singular simple present puts one's affairs in order, present participle putting one's affairs in order, simple past and past participle put one's affairs in order)

1. To prepare for the end of, or a radical change in, one's life.

   What did the test say, Doc? —I think it's time for you to be putting your affairs in order.

   The judge gave him ten days to put his affairs in order before beginning his sentence.

Usage notes

• Sometimes used as a euphemistic warning about the future.

Synonyms

• get one's ducks in a row
• put one's house in order

Translations

prepare for the end of one's life

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 料理后事

• Finnish: järjestää asiansa