Idiom
mean business
Meaning
To be serious, especially where achieving a specific end against opposition is concerned.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Examples
“The coach means business during this practice session.”
“When the manager arrived early and locked the office door, we knew she meant business about finishing the project.”
“The negotiator adjusted his tie and sat forward, his stern expression signaling to the board that he truly meant business regarding the contract terms.”
Examples
simple
“The coach means business during this practice session.”
contextual
“When the manager arrived early and locked the office door, we knew she meant business about finishing the project.”
complex
“The negotiator adjusted his tie and sat forward, his stern expression signaling to the board that he truly meant business regarding the contract terms.”
Key words
Related idioms
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