orders are orders

Questions

What does orders are orders mean?

Used wryly when someone attempts to justify questionable actions by referring to rules, laws or orders from higher up.

Where does orders are orders come from?

Calque of German Befehl ist Befehl (“order is order”), used as a defence during the Nuremberg trials (see Nuremberg defense).

How to pronounce orders are orders

1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “orders are orders”.
2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “orders are orders”.
4. Repeat and practice — Say “orders are orders” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.