stand on business

phrase

1

slang : to do what needs to be done

They got a last-minute touchdown in the fourth quarter against our second team, so there's nothing we can do about that. But … we're going to stand on business every time.

—Ellis Alloway, quoted at nfdailynews.com

"We're a selfless team, man. … We just want to play football," [Morgan] Moses said. "Whether it's in the parking lot, whatever … As long as there are lines on wherever we're at, we're going to play football. That's how we carry ourselves. That's how we stand on business."

—Christopher Price

2

slang : to take a firm stand

It's just funny seeing the reactions of me finally standing on business and staying firm in my boundaries.

—@tsunaminayy, on X, formerly Twitter

Standing on business been hard with the heart I got but I can't let up … The disrespect got too loud

—@charde10K, on X, formerly Twitter

… [Byron] Smith's earlier remarks underscored his reputation for blunt honesty and his insistence on advocating for players. Over the weekend, he said … that he would "always stand up" for his players and "always tell the truth and stand on business."

—Kendrick Marshall

Origin of Stand on Business: Usage Guide

These uses of the phrase stand on business originated in African American English and have since become widespread.

Word History

First Known Use

2018, in the meaning defined at sense 1