mean business 可不是吝啬的生意

mean business

含义

短语"mean business"，这里的 "mean" 并不是吝啬的意思，短语 "mean business" 也不是指吝啬的生意，而是意味着某人认真对待要实现的目标，有坚定的意图或者非常认真地采取行动，通常是指为了实现目标而不顾一切舆论。

例句

• The coach's stern expression showed the team he meant business this season.
  教练严肃的表情显示了这个赛季他是认真的。
• When the coach started canceling social activities to focus on training, we knew he meant business.
  当教练开始取消社交活动，专注于训练时，我们知道他是认真的。
• The way she walked into the room and commanded everyone's attention - you could tell she meant business.
  她走进房间并吸引了所有人的注意力的方式——你能知道她是来办正事的。
• He's not just playing around with his new invention, he really means business and believes it can change the world.
  他并不仅仅是在玩弄他的新发明，他确实认真了，并且相信它能改变世界。
• The company meant business when they announced a major restructuring plan to cut costs and improve efficiency.
  当公司宣布一项重大重组计划以削减成本和提高效率时，他们是认真的。
• After she warned them several times, the team realized she meant business and started to work harder.
  在她多次警告他们之后，团队意识到她是认真的，开始更努力地工作。

起源

这个短语的起源无法准确查证，一种猜测是做生意是一项需要付出极大努力和代价的事情的，企业家们经营业务时的认真态度对取得成功非常重要，所以当一个人 mean business，就是说他/她是认真的做某事。