business before pleasure

business before pleasure
The two nouns are frequently contrasted in other, non-proverbial, expressions. Cf. c 1640 Grobiana’s Nuptials (MS Bodley 30) 15 Well to the businesse.—On; businesse is senior to complement; 1767 T. HUTCHINSON Diary & Letters (1883) I. v. Pleasure should always give way to business.

1837 C. G. F. GORE Stokeshill Place III. vi. ‘Business before pleasure’ is a golden rule which most of us regard as iron.

1943 S. STERLING Down among Dead Men v. This is business, Sarge. You know what business comes before.

1986 J. HESS Strangled Prose vi. Douglas drifted past with the department chairman, engrossed in conversation. He gave me a quick nod, but steered his captive toward a sofa. Business before pleasure.

1997 R. BOWEN Evans Above xxii. 232 ‘I think I should buy you a drink first.’.. ‘Business before pleasure, major,’ Evan said.


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  • business before pleasure —    This expression means that it is considered preferable to finish one s work before going to relax and enjoy oneself.     I d love to have lunch with you but I ve got a report to finish business before pleasure I m afraid! …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • business before pleasure — work before play, one must take care of his responsibilities before having fun …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Business — Busi ness (b[i^]z n[e^]s), n.; pl. {Businesses} (b[i^]z n[e^]s*[e^]z). [From {Busy}.] 1. That which busies one, or that which engages the time, attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern or interest, whether for a longer or shorter… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • business — I (New American Roget s College Thesaurus) Commercial enterprise Nouns 1. business, occupation, employment, pursuit; venture (See undertaking); task, work, job, chore, errand, commission, charge, care, assignment; busy work; racket. Slang, bag. 2 …   English dictionary for students

  • pleasure — see business before pleasure he that would go to sea for pleasure, would go to hell for a pastime …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • business — see business before pleasure business is war everybody’s business is nobody’s business punctuality is the soul of business …   Proverbs new dictionary

  • business */*/*/ — UK [ˈbɪznəs] / US noun Word forms business : singular business plural businesses 1) [uncountable] the work of buying or selling products or services for money representatives from business and politics do business with someone: I found them very… …   English dictionary

  • To do one's business — Business Busi ness (b[i^]z n[e^]s), n.; pl. {Businesses} (b[i^]z n[e^]s*[e^]z). [From {Busy}.] 1. That which busies one, or that which engages the time, attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern or interest, whether for a longer or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To make a thing one's business — Business Busi ness (b[i^]z n[e^]s), n.; pl. {Businesses} (b[i^]z n[e^]s*[e^]z). [From {Busy}.] 1. That which busies one, or that which engages the time, attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern or interest, whether for a longer or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • To mean business — Business Busi ness (b[i^]z n[e^]s), n.; pl. {Businesses} (b[i^]z n[e^]s*[e^]z). [From {Busy}.] 1. That which busies one, or that which engages the time, attention, or labor of any one, as his principal concern or interest, whether for a longer or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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