business dinner

Meaning

A dinner where business partners, clients, or colleagues meet to eat and discuss work, build relationships, or close deals. It is usually professional but more relaxed than an office meeting.

Examples

• I have a business dinner with our new clients tonight.

  I have a business dinner with our new clients tonight.

• We discussed the contract during a business dinner.

  We discussed the contract during a business dinner.

• What should I wear to a formal business dinner?

  What should I wear to a formal business dinner?

• The company paid for the business dinner.

  The company paid for the business dinner.

• He made a great impression at the business dinner yesterday.

  He made a great impression at the business dinner yesterday.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am going to a busy dinner tonight.

  ✓ I am going to a business dinner tonight.

  'Busy' is an adjective meaning having a lot to do. 'Business' is the noun modifier needed here.

• ✗ We had a dinner of business to sign the contract.

  ✓ We had a business dinner to sign the contract.

  Avoid translating literally from languages that use 'dinner of business'. Use the compound noun 'business dinner'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• It is important to be polite and professional during a ___.

  💡 An evening meal with clients.

  Show answer

  business dinner

• She wore a smart suit to the ___ with the investors.

  💡 Evening meal for work.

  Show answer

  business dinner