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]
-
A harsh interrogation, as in The detectives gave each suspect the business . [ Slang ; c. 1940]
-
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.
Reynoso has been in the business for 40 years.
From Barron's ● Oct. 21, 2026
The latest targets from Tuesday’s earnings call show just how rapidly this part of the business could expand.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026
Investor concerns remain around the business models of cloud-computing companies and the impact of higher borrowing rates on the AI ecosystem.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026
Bryony Rest, a senior immigration lawyer who listened to the recorded conversation, said it was "quite appalling" that a solicitor would appear to suggest a false name for the business owner,
From BBC ● Oct. 21, 2026
“We’re trying to grow the business, but Darma is so focused on the agricultural school,” he says.
From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.
