follow orders

[ˈfɑːloʊ ˈɔːrdərz]
verb phrase
seguir ordens
1. to obey instructions or commands given by someone in authority
The soldiers were trained to follow orders without question.
Os soldados foram treinados para seguir ordens sem questionar.
2. to comply with directives or guidelines provided by a superior
If you want to keep your job, you need to follow orders from your manager.
Se você quer manter seu emprego, precisa seguir as ordens do seu gerente.
3. to adhere to a sequence of instructions
Follow orders carefully to assemble the furniture correctly.
Siga as instruções cuidadosamente para montar o móvel corretamente.
In Brazilian corporate culture, 'seguir ordens' reflects the hierarchical nature of many organizations. In military and police contexts, strict adherence to orders is emphasized as essential for safety and discipline. In the USA, the phrase is commonly used in both military and civilian contexts, though American culture often values questioning authority more than blind obedience compared to some other cultures.
NYC Slang
do what you're told / play by the rules
Synonyms / Sinônimos
obey orderscomply with instructionsadhere to directivestake ordersheed commands
Antonyms / Antônimos
disobey ordersdefy instructionsrebel against ordersignore directivesdisregard commands

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
seguir ordens
Most common and widely understood across all of Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
seguir ordens / cumprir ordens
Both forms are used equally; 'cumprir ordens' emphasizes fulfillment of duty
São Paulo
seguir ordens / obedecer ordens
Both expressions are common in business and military contexts
Portugal
cumprir ordens / seguir ordens
'Cumprir ordens' is slightly more formal; both are acceptable

Related Words

commandinstructiondirectiveobediencecompliancedisciplineauthority

Related Idioms & Phrases

follow orders to the letter
follow orders without question
take orders like a soldier
follow suit
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