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.

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

Because their 900 workers would stay all year, it would mean "business all year round for the local traders."

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2024

According to local reporting, members said the reason for the act of civil disobedience was to show the casinos that they mean business and that they’re willing to sit down in traffic for a contract.

From Washington Times • Oct. 26, 2023

Math was my specialty—you spend enough time at the cash register and you learn to love numbers, because each and every one means dollars and cents, and enough of those mean business is booming.

From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda

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