“Business before pleasure”: meaning, origin and examples
What it means
The phrase Business before pleasure means that one should prioritize work and professional responsibilities before engaging in leisure activities or enjoyment.
Tone Pragmatic and advisory, emphasizing responsibility and the importance of prioritizing duties over leisure.
Where it comes from
The exact origin is uncertain, but the phrase has been commonly used since at least the 19th century, emphasizing the ethics of prioritizing duties over personal enjoyment.
Examples
- I would love to join you for dinner, but I have a project to finish first—business before pleasure.
- She reminded herself that it’s business before pleasure as she postponed the trip to meet a work deadline.
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