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commission
in commission
1. In service; in functional operating order. After three weeks in the shop, my car is finally in commission again.
2. Of a Navy vessel, manned, armed, and in condition for active service. Also phrased as "into commission." The new capital ship went into commission this Friday after a ceremonial launch. The cruiser is the oldest vessel still in commission in the entire Navy's fleet.
out of commission
1. Lit. [for a ship] to be not currently in use or under command. This vessel will remain out of commission for another month. The ship has been out of commission since repairs began.
2. Fig. broken, unserviceable, or inoperable; not currently in use. My watch is out of commission and needs a new battery. I can't run in the marathon because my knees are out of commission.
out of commission
1. broken or not working The explosion put the engine out of commission.
2. not able to do the usual things
After her knee surgery, she was out of commission for about eight weeks. Usage notes: used to refer to a person who is ill or injured
in commission
on commission
Making money based on sales or services rendered, as in Real estate agents rarely get a salary; they work largely on commission. This use of the noun commission, which generally refers to a percentage of the total price, dates from the early 1700s.
out of commission
Not in working order, unable to function. For example, The drawbridge is out of commission so we'll have to take the tunnel. This idiom originally referred to a ship that was laid up for repairs or held in reserve. Similarly, the antonym, in commission, referred to a ship armed and ready for action. The latter term is also used in more general contexts today, as in My car's back in commission now, so we can drive to the theater. [Late 1800s]
in commission
1. In active service. Used of a ship.
2. In use or in usable condition.
on commission
With a sales commission serving as full or partial recompense for the work done: sells boats on commission.
out of commission
1. Not in active service. Used of a ship.
2. Not in use or working condition.