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Region: General | Usage example: After the introductions, they got down to business.

Down to business

Meaning

Start focusing on the important tasks.

Usage

Used to transition from small talk to serious work.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Commercial phrase about shifting from preliminaries to deals.

Typical in meeting notes from the 19th century onward.

Related Idioms

Get down to business

Stop talking and start working.

Down to the wire

Until the very last moment.

Caught with your pants down

Surprised while unprepared.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.