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.

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

I was usually the only one in the weights room but Alex and Emmanuel would come in and do work-outs and I remember thinking 'wow, they mean business'.

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

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

From Barron's • Feb. 11, 2026

"And we mean business on this, because far too many people are not getting these homes."

From BBC • Feb. 10, 2025

"Act like it! Matter fact, learn from the newbies. Defend each other. They ain't your opponents. They're your new family. And as y'all can see, they mean business."

From "Ghost" by Jason Reynolds

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