chain of command
58
3.5
- noun
- /tʃeɪn əv kəˈmænd/
:
cadena de mando
- In the military, the chain of command is critical for executing orders and maintaining discipline.
- follow a chain of command
- a clear chain of command
- hierarchical chain of command
Yes, but there has to be a chain of command.
- Yes, but there has to be a chain of command.
- It was it was run with a pretty simple chain of command.
- But you and I both know you don't break the chain of command.
- Again, it's a chain of command.
- You have a chain of command that responds to something that might be a threat.
- And I see not just him, but other people being put into positions of authority within my chain of command that believe in winning.
- At any point along the chain of command from the general staff all the way down right to the platoon.
- And so that group of people are going to do what you say because, well, you've got the title and that's the chain of command.
- If they're above you in the chain of command, guess what?
- They adored him up the chain of command.
- I would like to see every everybody in the chain of command.
- And so that went up the chain of command and towards is the end.
- It's, it's industry and it's and it's got a full chain of command.
Examples
-
You understand why we have a chain of command, don't you?
-
There are three separate chains of command on a ship like this one.
Fiction book (2002) -
So they had their own sort of chain of command, if you like.
-
We still have a chain of command.
-
But while the system is working, that chain of command in service provision is clearly laid out.
-
Nevertheless, both conditions were caused by a failure of leadership within their chain of command.
Academic text (2002) -
Such leaders provide a recognized chain of command and a clear hierarchy.
Academic text (2011) -
Whatever they are, they've gotta respect the chain of command.
-
The system, for example, is comprised of a defined hierarchy with a well-delineated chain of command.
Academic text (2008) -
Orders may be relayed down this chain of command with surprising swiftness, if the conditions are right.
Fiction book (1990)
Synonyms
98
5.8
A system that puts people and things in order by rank or power
13
4.2
How people in a group are arranged by who has more power or status
An organization where top managers give orders directly to workers in a clear chain
How Hierarchical
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly derivable from the parts: 'chain' (a linked series) + 'of' (linking) + 'command' (authority/orders) yields a linked series of authority through which orders pass. This composition is literal and cross-linguistically common (e.g., Spanish 'cadena de mando'), so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily infer the MWE meaning.
Etymology
The phrase chain of command comes from a military image of a long chain where each link is a person passing orders down the line. The word chain shows the connected links and command means the orders, so the phrase means the way of 'who gives orders to whom'.