business|business Idiom, Proverb

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do the business|business|do

v. phr., informal To do what is needed or wanted; get the job done; take proper action. The boys had trouble in rolling the stone, but four of them did the business. When the little boy cut his finger a bandage did the business.

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go about one's business|business|go

v. phr. To mind one's own affairs. Fred kept bothering me with his questions all day, so I finally told him to go about his business and leave me alone.

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go out of business|business|go|out of business

v. phr. To cease functioning as a commercial enterprise. The windows of the store are all boarded up because they went out of business.

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have no business|business|have|no business

v. phr. To have no right or reason. Jack had no business saying those nasty things about Dick. Vern's mother told him he had no business going swimming that day.

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land-office business|business|land-office

n., informal A great rush of business. It was a hot day, and the drive-ins were doing a land-office business in ice cream and cold drinks.

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mean business|business|mean

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 company of the other girls he dated, but this time he seems to mean business.

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mind one's own business|business|mind|mind one's b

v. phr. To not interfere in the affairs of others. He finally got tired of her criticism and told her to mind her own business.

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monkey business|business|monkey

n., slang, informal 1. Any unethical, illegitimate, or objectionable activity that is furtive or deceitful, e.g., undercover sexual advances, cheating, misuse of public funds, etc. There is a lot of monkey business going on in that firm; you'd better watch out who you deal with! 2. Comical or silly actions; goofing off. Come on boys, let's cut out the monkey business and get down to work!

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send one about one's business|business|send

v. phr. To dismiss someone summarily; tell one off. When Mrs. Atwater discovered that her daughter's French tutor was an ordinary fortune hunter, she sent him about his business.
Compare: SEND ONE PACKING.

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the business|business

n., slang Usually used with "give" or "get". 1. All that you are able to do; greatest effort. Johnny gave the tryouts the business but he failed to make the team. 2. The most harm possible; the greatest damage or hurt. Fred got the business when Tom caught him with his bicycle. 3. A harsh scolding. The teacher gave Walter the business when he came to school late again. Mike thought he was the star of the team until he got the business from the coach.
Compare: THE WORKS.