mean business

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mean business (third-person singular simple present means business, present participle meaning business, simple past and past participle meant business)

1. (idiomatic, used to convey serious intent) To be serious, especially where achieving a specific end against opposition is concerned.
   • 1895, William Chambers, Robert Chambers, Chambers's journal:

     Say in a week from now, I will undertake to deliver this most marvellous masterpiece, if 'Look here, 'Tony, I mean business, if you don't.

   • 1997, George Carlin, Brain Droppings‎, New York: Hyperion Books, →ISBN, →LCCN, →OCLC, →OL, page 102:

     Lorena Bobbit only did what men do to each other all the time: She showed an asshole she meant business.

   • 2002, Armando T. Atienza, Shrewd Business Tactics:

     He projects his concern to all employees and he means business when he says the “buck stops here”.