Get your house in order

Meaning

Resolve internal problems before facing external challenges.

Usage

Used to advise prioritizing internal fixes.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Domestic metaphor for organizing home before hosting guests.

Popular in management writing in the 20th century.