The Village Idiom

get down to business

The idiom "get down to business" means to focus on the task or purpose at hand, and to start doing what needs to be done without wasting time.

Filed under G

In a sentence

  • After the small talk, it was time to get down to business and discuss the important issues at hand.
  • Before we can start the project, we need to get down to business and create a detailed plan.
  • Once everyone arrived at the meeting, the chairperson wasted no time and immediately asked everyone to get down to business.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "get down to cases" is another English expression that is related to "get down to business." Like "get down to business," it is used to emphasize the need to focus on important matters. "Get down to cases" suggests that it is time to stop discussing general or irrelevant topics and start addressing specific issues or tasks. It conveys a sense of urgency and the need for practical action, similar to "get down to business."

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.