mean business

Idioms

Be in earnest. For example, He really means business with this deadline. This idiom uses business in the sense of “a serious endeavor.” [Mid-1800s]

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

mean business

Just a glance at the top scorers table is proof enough that the world's best mean business.

From BBC ● Jun. 18, 2026

What kinds of questions do they ask that lets you know that they’re informed or they mean business?

From Los Angeles Times ● May 18, 2026

Drones and anti-drones mean business for a host of defense startups and established players.

From Barron's ● Feb. 11, 2026

“Union baristas mean business and are ready to do whatever it takes to win a fair contract,” Eisen said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 5, 2025

But I decide to include it because anything that can start out floating around defenseless in the ocean that size—and then defeat the odds to grow into this powerful creature—has to mean business.

From "The Benefits of Being an Octopus" by Ann Braden

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023