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.

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mean business

No-one was quite sure what to expect from the co-hosts but, 90 minutes later, they were left in no doubt the USA mean business.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

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

I glare to let her know I mean business.

From "Merci Suárez Changes Gears" by Meg Medina

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