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

I'm at my local 5km community parkrun event on a Saturday morning and I mean business.

From BBC • Dec. 5, 2025

“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

"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

"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