get down to business
Meaning
To stop chatting or delaying and start focusing seriously on the task or work that needs to be done.
Origin
From the phrasal verb “get down to” meaning “apply oneself to,” with “business” as the serious work at hand; recorded in modern usage from the late 19th–early 20th century in meetings and work contexts.
Notes
Used to signal a shift from small talk or delay to serious work. Often firm but not rude; common in meetings. Implies time to focus and stop procrastinating.
Examples
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Now that everyone’s here, let’s get down to business.
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We chatted for a few minutes, then got down to business and reviewed the budget.
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If you’re ready, we can get down to business and finalize the contract.
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Stop scrolling and get down to business—you’ve got a deadline in an hour.
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After the introductions, the coach told the team to get down to business and start practice.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase: “get down to business.” Verb inflects (gets/got/getting). Can be used with “let’s/now/it’s time to.” Sometimes expanded: “get down to (doing) something.”
Synonyms
- get to work
- get started
- get on with it
- get down to work
- start in earnest
Antonyms
- procrastinate
- dawdle
- beat around the bush
- idle
- waste time