1a person’s regular occupation, profession, or trade:experts who typically conduct their business over the Internet
an activity that someone is engaged in:what is your business here?
a person’s concern:this is none of your businessthe neighbours make it their business to know all about you
work that has to be done or matters that have to be attended to:government businesslet’s get down to business
2commercial activity:firms who want to do business with Japanthe tea business [as modifier]:the business community
trade considered in terms of its volume or profitability:how’s business?the banks are continuing to lose business
[count noun] a commercial house or firm:a catering business
3 [in singular] informal a situation or series of events, typically a scandalous or discreditable one:maybe something positive will come out of the whole awful business
a difficult matter:what a business!
4 Theatre actions on stage other than dialogue.
5 (the business) British informal a very enjoyable or popular person or thing:this brandy is the business
business as usual
an ongoing and unchanging state of affairs despite difficulties or disturbances:apart from being under new management, it’s business as usual in the department
do the business
British informal
do what is required or achieve the desired result:Rogers has got to do the business, score a hat trick or something
vulgar slang have sexual intercourse.
have no business
have no right to do something:he had no business tampering with social services
in business
operating, especially in commerce:they will have to import from overseas to remain in business
informal able to begin operations:if you’ll contact the right people, I should think we’re in business
in the business of
engaged in or prepared to engage in:I am not in the business of making accusations
like nobody's business
informal, chiefly British to an extraordinarily high degree or standard:these weeds spread like nobody’s business
