mean business

Idioms  

1. 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]

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Example Sentences

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

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

"Adrian is a racer and one of the most competitive people I have ever met. He quickly understood what we are trying to achieve. We mean business - and so does he."

From BBC • Sep. 10, 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

The memo suggested wearing costumes “inspired by generalized characters and figures” — such as ghosts, zombies or spiders — to show the studios they mean business, even on a holiday.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 19, 2023

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