Getting down to business is an expression frequently used in the American vernacular. It means to get serious about something or to get down to work. In the first instance - to get serious - you can use this expression in any context where time may be limited and a project has a deadline; a discussion must take place; initiating the eating of a meal; or you are about to compete in a race, etc.
- Ok, everybody. We need to finish this project by tomorrow night. Let's cut the small talk and get down to business (to get serious).
- Thanks for coming on such short notice. The CEO from Britain is arriving at 2 pm, so we have just 3 hours before we need to get down to business.
- Hey, guys! The waiter is bringing our food, so now it's time to get down to business. I don't know about you, but I'm really hungry!
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| Watermelon-eating race |
In the second instance - to get down to work - you can use interchangeably with the other two expressions: to get serious; to get down to business.
- The race is about to start, so you better get serious.
- Let's get down to work before the food gets cold.
Now, we'll use to get down to business in the same sentences:
- The race is about to start, so you better get down to business. (Context meaning: to get serious, to concentrate, to prepare to start)
- Let's get down to business before the food gets cold. (Context meaning: to start eating and enjoy it)
...and so on.
To get down to work can also be used literally in the workplace. Suppose you are in the office and you have a lot to do today, so you say to your colleague:
- We only have 6 hours left today, so we'd better get down to work if we want to finish up by five.
You are on your way to speaking impressive American English!
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