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Reader question: Please explain why c is the correct answer in the following quiz: Karen says I should put my own house in order before I a. go on my vacation b. give advice on decorating homes c. tell other people what they should do My comments: C is the right answer because it’s closest to the meaning of the idiom putting one’s own house in order. Karen is speaking in general terms, without being specific. Both a, going on vacation, and b, decorating homes are specific. Anyway, c is the correct answer. Any time someone tells another that they should put their own house in order is asking them to stop giving others advice – because they are not very good themselves. Literally, a house in order is a house in fine shape and form. The house is well built and all furniture pieces are arranged in a proper and pleasing way. Nothing is out of place and everything feels right, correct and complete. Metaphorically speaking, when we’re asked to put our own house in order, we are asked to get our act together, so to speak – before we are able to tell others how to handle their own affairs. Obviously, if we’re not good at something, we’re not going to sound convincing if we tell others how to do it, especially if we want to force them to follow our orders. For example, if we play ping pong a certain way and lose every game, we’re not going to sound convincing if we teach someone else to do it exactly our way. | 
