A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

in one’s way • on one’s way
in one’s way —
1
. situated along one’s route: I’ll take that
book back for you; the library is in my way as I go to the
town. 2. placed so as to be an obstruction or cause inconven-
ience: If there is a physical obstacle in our way, we move it,
jump over it or break it down. Mental obstacles are differ-
ent…. 3. within the limitations of one’s character: “Prendy’s
not so bad in his way,” said Grimes, “but he can’t keep order.”
on one’s way —
1
. on a journey; going to a place: On our way
to Sidon we repeatedly encountered unknown ruins. 2. = in
one’s way 
1
: We stopped to see Harris quite often as his house
was on our way to and from downtown Winfield. 3. in good
prospect of smth.: Don’t hundreds of thousands of immigrants
on their way to becoming U.S. citizens work hard and serve
in the military.
in order • in orders
in order —
1
. in the sequence in which things occur: I will
answer your three questions in order. 2. (of a machine, etc.)
working properly: Before setting out on a long journey, see
that your car is in order. 3. (also: in place) be due or appro-
priate: That phrase means different things to different people,
so some explanation is in order. 4. in conformity with the
prescribed mode of proceeding in debates, etc.: The chairman
ruled that the question was in order.
in orders —said of smb. appointed or ordained minister of
the Christian church: He was in orders, but was not a placed
minister.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase under orders—(also: on orders) acting under authorita-
tive instructions: Congress ratified the bill and sent it to the
President who was under orders from his backers to sign it
into law.