the business
Idioms-
Verbal abuse, scolding, or teasing; also, a beating. For example, At boarding school new kids always get the business , or The boxer faked and then gave his opponent the business . [ Slang ; c. 1940]
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A harsh interrogation, as in The detectives gave each suspect the business . [ Slang ; c. 1940]
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Dismissal from work or jilting, as in Once the new management takes over I'm sure to get the business , or Dorothy gave him the business and married someone else . [ Slang ; c. 1940]
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.
He said he had also spoken with West Midlands mayor Richard Parker about supporting the business and its staff.
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
JLR has not confirmed the scale of the job cuts, but said they would "simplify" the business and "improve efficiency and build greater resilience".
From BBC ● Sep. 6, 2026
She ran the business conservatively; he wanted to not only collect rent, but buy and develop properties.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
Wen Han, Windrose’s co-founder and chief executive, said he is restructuring the business to operate with fewer workers and attract more investment.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026
“You know if the old woman dies, we’ll all be dismissed,” Cook murmured to Mama, not one to follow her own advice about not minding the business of her employers.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
