Taking care of business ✋💼✅
Meaning
Successfully handling one's responsibilities or tasks effectively and efficiently.
Origin
The exact origin is a bit murky, but the phrase gained significant traction with the 1974 hit song "Takin' Care of Business" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive. The song's lyrics painted a picture of diligent work and dedication, essentially showing people who were focused on their jobs and getting things done. This boosted the phrase into mainstream consciousness. Before the song, similar sentiments existed, but BTO's anthem cemented "taking care of business" as the go-to expression for proactive and effective task completion.
Taking care of business represented with emoji✋💼✅
This playful arrangement of hand, briefcase, and checkmark functions as a delightful shorthand, not just for the mundane act of completing tasks, but for the satisfying feeling of being on top of it all! It's a small celebration of efficiency and the sweet victory of a job well done, captured in colorful characters.
Examples
- She's been taking care of business all day, so she's ready for a break.
- Don't worry about the project; he's really taking care of business and will have it done on time.
- The squirrels in the park were busily taking care of business, gathering nuts with extreme prejudice.
- My magical broomstick is out taking care of business, sweeping away all the cobwebs of doubt.
Frequently asked questions
"Taking care of business" is generally considered an idiom, not slang, though its usage can be informal. Idioms have figurative meanings distinct from their literal words, and this phrase conveys a sense of effective task management.
The opposite of "taking care of business" would be phrases like "slacking off," "procrastinating," or "letting things slide." These describe inaction or a failure to handle responsibilities effectively.
No, Bachman-Turner Overdrive did not invent the phrase "taking care of business," but their 1974 hit song popularized it significantly. The song's success cemented the idiom in mainstream language for its association with dedicated work.
While predominantly positive, "taking care of business" can sometimes imply dealing with unpleasant but necessary tasks. The context usually clarifies whether it means efficiently completing duties or dealing with something more troublesome.