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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Origin: | busy |
Related topics:1 the activity of making money by producing or buying and selling goods, or providing services [↪ commerce, trade]: 
Students on the course learn about all aspects of business.
buying or selling goods or services
[uncountable]Students on the course learn about all aspects of business. the advertising/music/fashion etc business Carl began in the music business by running a recording studio.
Carl began in the music business by running a recording studio.2 an organization such as a company, shop, or factory that produces or sells goods or provides a service : She now has her own $25 million home-shopping business. Owners of small businesses (=that employ only a few people) will be hit hardest by these tax changes.
company
[countable]She now has her own $25 million home-shopping business.Owners of small businesses (=that employ only a few people) will be hit hardest by these tax changes. big business (=large and powerful companies in general) Does big business have more control over our everyday lives than our elected governments?
Does big business have more control over our everyday lives than our elected governments? the business community (=people who work in business generally) the international business community
the international business community3 the amount of work a company does or the amount of money it makes : Exports account for 72% of overall business.
how much work a company has
[uncountable]Exports account for 72% of overall business. drum up business (=try to get more work for you or your company) Perot was in Europe, drumming up business for his new investment company.
Perot was in Europe, drumming up business for his new investment company.4 work that you do as part of your job :
for your job
[uncountable]5
what someone should be involved in
[uncountable]a) if something is not your business or none of your business, you should not be involved in it or ask about it : It was not her business, she decided, to ask where the money came from. 'Who's that girl you were with?' ' Mind your own business (=Don't ask questions about something that does not concern you)!' Are you going out with Kate tonight? 'That's my business' (=it doesn't concern you, so don't ask me questions about it).
It was not her business, she decided, to ask where the money came from.'Who's that girl you were with?' ' Mind your own business (=Don't ask questions about something that does not concern you)!'Are you going out with Kate tonight? 'That's my business' (=it doesn't concern you, so don't ask me questions about it).b) if it is someone's business to do something, it is their duty or responsibility to do it
it is the business of somebody to do something It is the business of government to listen to the various groups within society.
It is the business of government to listen to the various groups within society.6 things that need to be done or discussed :
things to be dealt with
[uncountable]7 a situation or activity, especially one that you have a particular opinion about or attitude towards
matter
[singular]8
be in business
a) to be involved in business activities : The company has been in business for over thirty years.
The company has been in business for over thirty years.b) spoken to have all that you need to start doing something : I've just got to buy the paint and then we're in business.
I've just got to buy the paint and then we're in business.9 if a company goes out of business, or something puts it out of business, it stops operating, especially because of financial problems : Higher interest rates will drive small firms out of business.
(go) out of business
Higher interest rates will drive small firms out of business.10 to be working or operating in a normal way again : The band are back in business after a long break.
be back in business
The band are back in business after a long break.11 used to say that someone was not doing anything unusual or wrong at the time when something unfair or bad happened to them : I was driving along, minding my own business, when the police stopped my car.
somebody was (just) minding their own business
spokenI was driving along, minding my own business, when the police stopped my car.12 to do the things that you normally do : The street was full of ordinary people going about their business.
go about your business
The street was full of ordinary people going about their business.13 to make a special effort to do something : Ruth made it her business to get to know the customers.
make it your business to do something
Ruth made it her business to get to know the customers.14 to be serious about doing something even if it involves harming someone : The border is guarded by troops who mean business.
mean business
informalThe border is guarded by troops who mean business.15 something you need to discuss further with someone or a situation that has not yet reached a satisfactory solution : The sudden death of a loved one can often leave the bereaved with an agonising sense of unfinished business.
unfinished business
The sudden death of a loved one can often leave the bereaved with an agonising sense of unfinished business.16 used to say that profit is the most important thing to consider : We can't afford to employ someone who isn't good at the job - business is business.
business is business
spokenWe can't afford to employ someone who isn't good at the job - business is business.17 when someone or something is still working or operating normally when you think they might not be : Despite last night's scare, it was business as usual in the White House today.
business as usual
BBTDespite last night's scare, it was business as usual in the White House today.18 to do something you should not be doing : He was drunk and had no business driving.
have no business doing something/have no business to do something
He was drunk and had no business driving.19 to not be intending to do something because you think it is a bad idea : I'm not in the business of selling my best players.
not be in the business of doing something
I'm not in the business of selling my best players.20 and other things of the same general kind : She handles the publicity and all that business.
and all that business
spoken informalShe handles the publicity and all that business.21 used to say that something is very good or works well : Have you seen David's new car? It's the business!
(it's) the business
British English informalHave you seen David's new car? It's the business!22
do the business
British English informala) to do what you are expected to do or what people want you to do : Come on, then, and do the business.
Come on, then, and do the business.b) to have sex
➔ big business
WORD FOCUS: company
similar words: firm, business
a big company: corporation, multinational, conglomerate
an Internet company: dot-com
a company that is owned by a larger company: subsidiary, affiliate
abbreviations used in company names: Ltd (Limited)
Co. (Company)
Corp. (Corporation)
PLC (Public Limited Company) British English, Pty. (Proprietary) used in Australia and South Africacompany
➔ See also company
; ➔ funny business
at funny (3); ➔ like nobody's business
at nobody1 (2); ➔ monkey business
at monkey1 (3), show businessWORD FOCUS: company
WORD FOCUS: company similar words: firm, business
a big company: corporation, multinational, conglomerate
an Internet company: dot-com
a company that is owned by a larger company: subsidiary, affiliate
abbreviations used in company names: Ltd (Limited)
Co. (Company)
Corp. (Corporation)
PLC (Public Limited Company) British English, Pty. (Proprietary) used in Australia and South Africacompany
➔ See also company
