business

be in business (informal)

to be able to start doing something because you have everything you need to do it. As soon as I find my map and my keys we're in business.

business as usual

a situation that has returned to its usual state again after an unpleasant or surprising event. It was business as usual at the school yesterday only a month after the fire.

See also: usual

the business end (informal)

the business end of a weapon or tool is the end which does the damage or work. She screamed when she found herself facing the business end of his gun.

See also: end

business is business

something that you say which means the purpose of business is to make a profit, and that other things, such as personal feelings, must not be allowed to prevent this. Business is business, and if your friend can't produce the work on time, I'll have to find someone else.

do a land-office business (American, old-fashioned)

if a company does a land-office business, they are very successful in selling their product. They only set up the company eight months ago and they're doing a land-office business.

do the business (British & Australian, informal)

1. to achieve what is wanted or needed in a situation. As long as he does the business on the football field, the club is happy with him.

(British, very informal!)

2. to have sex. So he went home with her. Do you think they did the business?

funny business (informal)

dishonest or unpleasant actions. If you try any funny business you'll be sorry.

See also: funny

not in the business of doing something

if you are not in the business of doing something, you do not do it, usually because you think it is wrong. I'm not in the business of causing trouble.

like nobody's business (informal)

very quickly or very well. We get through butter in our house like nobody's business. She cooks like nobody's business. (= she cooks very well)

See also: like

mean business

to be serious about achieving something, even if other people disagree with you. The changes the new government has made show they mean business.

See also: mean

Mind your own business! (informal)

something that you say in order to tell someone not to ask questions or show too much interest in other people's lives. 'How much did that dress cost you?' 'Mind your own business!' I wish he'd mind his own business and stop telling me how to do my job!

See also: mind

mix business with pleasure

to combine work with social activities or enjoyment. Let's keep this relationship strictly professional. I prefer not to mix business with pleasure. (usually negative)

See also: mix

monkey business (slightly informal)

silly behaviour or dishonest behaviour. So what kind of monkey business have you kids been up to while I was out? The tax inspectors discovered that there had been some monkey business with the accounts.

See also: monkey

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business as usual

doing everything in the ordinary way. Serious problems such as depression can make business as usual impossible for most people. She says we have to deal with the AIDS epidemic because business as usual is killing too many people.

See also: usual

the business end of something

the part of a weapon or tool that does something. She screamed when she found herself facing the business end of his gun.

See also: end

get down to business

to begin seriously doing what you need to do. They both knew they did not have much time, so they got down to business and began to discuss the issues that needed to be settled.

Usage notes: sometimes used without get: Our professor is very down to business and very well prepared.

get down to it

See also: down

go about your business

to do what you usually do. How could she make such a big mistake and then go about her business as if it never happened?

go about something/doing something

See also: about

in the business of doing something

to have something as your main purpose. Film makers are in the business of creating illusion.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form not in the business of doing something: Our organization is not in the business of helping people break the law.

someone is in business

someone is able to begin doing something. Making one of these instruments looks like a simple process — find the right kind of plant, cut off the stalk, and you're in business.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form back in business able to start doing something again: To clean the air filter, just take it out and rinse it, and you're back in business.

like nobody's business

very quickly, very easily, or very well. Kids can work the Internet like nobody's business.

See also: like

make it your business to do something

to decide you will take responsibility to do something. He made it his business to find out what happened to the money.

mean business

to be serious. After she scored that point, I realized that she meant business. We hope that the government means business and will really do something about the lack of affordable housing.

See also: mean

mind your own business

do not be so interested in what other people are doing. If she asks where we're going, tell her to mind her own business.

See also: mind

mix business with pleasure

to combine work and social activities. Weekend getaways that allow you to mix business with pleasure have become fashionable.

See also: mix

none of your business

do not interest yourself in matters that do not involve you. “Those children should never be left alone.” “Don't tell me what to do — it's none of your business.”

See also: none