give someone the business: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  generalneutralliteral
  • To conduct or transact commercial or professional business with someone.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The two companies gave each other the business on the new contract last week.

    Las dos empresas hicieron negocios entre sí sobre el nuevo contrato la semana pasada.

  • We gave the client the business after finalizing the terms and signing the agreement.

    Hicimos negocios con el cliente después de finalizar los términos y firmar el acuerdo.

  • They are giving the business to several suppliers to compare prices and quality.

    Están haciendo negocios con varios proveedores para comparar precios y calidad.

  • When we give someone the business, we expect professionalism and timely payments.

    Cuando hacemos negocios con alguien, esperamos profesionalismo y pagos puntuales.

• 2.

  USidiomaticdatedinformal
  • To treat someone harshly or wrongfully, especially by abusing, deceiving, exploiting, or manipulating them.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The corrupt official gave the citizens the business by embezzling funds meant for public projects.

    El funcionario corrupto trató mal a los ciudadanos al malversar fondos destinados a proyectos públicos.

  • If you give her the business, she won’t hesitate to fight back with legal action.

    Si la maltratas, no dudará en contraatacar con acciones legales.

  • They were given the business by their landlord when he raised the rent unfairly and refused repairs.

    Su casero los trató injustamente al subirles el alquiler y negarse a hacer reparaciones.

• 3.

  USidiomaticdatedinformal
  • To harangue, criticize vigorously, or berate someone.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The coach gave the players the business after their poor performance in the finals.

    El entrenador reprendió duramente a los jugadores tras su mala actuación en las finales.

  • She gave him the business when he forgot their anniversary, letting him know how disappointed she was.

    Ella lo regañó severamente cuando él olvidó su aniversario, haciéndole saber lo decepcionada que estaba.

  • After the mistake, the supervisor gave the new hire the business to ensure it wouldn’t happen again.

    Después del error, el supervisor le dio una reprimenda severa al nuevo empleado para que no volviera a ocurrir.

• 4.

  USidiomaticdatedvulgar
  • To sexually assault or rape someone.

  Examples

  Beta

  • The crime novel described how the villain gave the heroine the business in a chilling scene.

    La novela de crimen describía cómo el villano agredió a la heroína en una escena escalofriante.

  • He was arrested after reports that he had given someone the business during a violent encounter.

    Fue arrestado tras los informes de que había agredido a alguien durante un encuentro violento.

  • The detective explained that the suspect had given the business to the victim before fleeing the scene.

    El detective explicó que el sospechoso había agredido a la víctima antes de huir de la escena.