get down to business

Meaning

This phrase means to stop making small talk and start focusing on the main topic or important task. It is commonly used in professional meetings, study groups, or any situation where people need to stop socializing and start working. The tone is constructive and focused, not rude.

Examples

• Now that everyone is here, let's get down to business and discuss the budget.

  Now that everyone is here, let's get down to business and discuss the budget.

• We've spent twenty minutes talking about the weather, so let's get down to business.

  We've spent twenty minutes talking about the weather, so let's get down to business.

• I have a lot of work to do tonight, so I need to get down to business immediately.

  I have a lot of work to do tonight, so I need to get down to business immediately.

• Before we get down to business, I'd like to introduce our new team member.

  Before we get down to business, I'd like to introduce our new team member.

• Let's get down to business and figure out how we're going to solve this problem.

  Let's get down to business and figure out how we're going to solve this problem.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Let's get down to the business.

  ✓ Let's get down to business.

  Do not use the definite article 'the' before 'business' in this idiom.

• ✗ We need to get down on business.

  ✓ We need to get down to business.

  The correct preposition is 'to', not 'on'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• We don't have much time, so let's ___ and review the agenda.

  💡 Start focusing on the main task.

  Show answer

  get down to business

• After a few minutes of small talk, the manager decided to ___.

  💡 Stop chatting and start working.

  Show answer

  get down to business