To mean business

To mean business
Business Busi"ness (b[i^]z"n[e^]s), n.; pl. {Businesses} (b[i^]z"n[e^]s*[e^]z). [From {Busy}.] 1. That which busies one, or that which engages the time, attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern or interest, whether for a longer or shorter time; constant employment; regular occupation; as, the business of life; business before pleasure. [1913 Webster]

Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? --Luke ii. 49. [1913 Webster]

2. Any particular occupation or employment engaged in for livelihood or gain, as agriculture, trade, art, or a profession. ``The business of instruction.'' --Prescott. [1913 Webster]

3. Financial dealings; buying and selling; traffic in general; mercantile transactions. [1913 Webster]

It seldom happens that men of a studious turn acquire any degree of reputation for their knowledge of business. --Bp. Popteus. [1913 Webster]

4. That which one has to do or should do; special service, duty, or mission. [1913 Webster]

The daughter of the King of France, On serious business, craving quick despatch, Importunes personal conference. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

What business has the tortoise among the clouds? --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

5. Affair; concern; matter; -- used in an indefinite sense, and modified by the connected words. [1913 Webster]

It was a gentle business, and becoming The action of good women. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Bestow Your needful counsel to our business. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

6. (Drama) The position, distribution, and order of persons and properties on the stage of a theater, as determined by the stage manager in rehearsal. [1913 Webster]

7. Care; anxiety; diligence. [Obs.] --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

{To do one's business}, to ruin one. [Colloq.] --Wycherley.

{To make (a thing) one's business}, to occupy one's self with a thing as a special charge or duty. [Colloq.]

{To mean business}, to be earnest. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

Syn: Affairs; concern; transaction; matter; engagement; employment; calling; occupation; trade; profession; vocation; office; duty. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • mean business — {v. phr.}, {informal} To decide strongly to do what you plan to do; really mean it; be serious. * /The boss said he would fire us if we didn t work harder and he means business./ * /When she went to college to study, she meant business./ * /He… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • mean business — {v. phr.}, {informal} To decide strongly to do what you plan to do; really mean it; be serious. * /The boss said he would fire us if we didn t work harder and he means business./ * /When she went to college to study, she meant business./ * /He… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • mean business — ► mean business be in earnest. Main Entry: ↑mean …   English terms dictionary

  • mean business — phrasal : to be in earnest : have a sober, serious, and determined intent in respect to something * * * mean business To be in earnest • • • Main Entry: ↑business * * * mean business informal phrase to ser …   Useful english dictionary

  • mean business — tv. to be very, very serious. □ Stop laughing! I mean business. □ I could tell from the look on her face that she meant business. mean something mod. having to do with an excellent example of the art of doing something well habitually. □ John… …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • mean\ business — v. phr. informal To decide strongly to do what you plan to do; really mean it; be serious. The boss said he would fire us if we didn t work harder and he means business. When she went to college to study, she meant business. He just liked the… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • 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 …   New idioms dictionary

  • mean business — informal to seriously intend to do what you say you will do They ve threatened to close us down, and I think they mean business …   English dictionary

  • We Mean Business — can refer to:* We Mean Business (album), by American hip hop duo EPMD * We Mean Business (TV series), an American reality show on A E …   Wikipedia

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