office

The section of a business or company that is responsible for managing internal affairs (such as administration, information technology, and so on) and thus generally does not have contact with clients, customers, or the general public. You should ask one of the people in the back office for help with your computer. I spent so many years as part of the bank's back office that now I'm not sure I know the appropriate way to talk to a customer.

To be selling something very successfully. Because we sell shovels and rock salt, we're doing a land-office business after that blizzard forecast.

A film that performs very poorly in ticket sales, earning less than the cost of production. After its third box-office bomb in a row, the film studio was forced to close down.

A request to speak privately in an office, typically said by a boss or superior, perhaps because one is going to be reprimanded. A: "Can I see you in my office?" B: "Oh man. Is this because I lost that account?"

To sell something very successfully. Stores that sell shovels and rock salt always do a land-office business after the prediction of a snowstorm.

To pressure one to resign or otherwise force one to leave or be removed from an authoritative position that one has been elected to. Do you think these accusations are credible or just an attempt to drive the mayor out of office? Now that we know Fred's involved in the scandal too, we need to drive him out of office.

To pressure one to resign or otherwise force one to leave or be removed from an authoritative position that one has been elected to. Do you think these accusations are credible or just an attempt to force the mayor out of office? Now that we know Fred's involved in the scandal too, we need to force him out of office.

Aid or support given to others, often from a position of influence. My English teacher's good offices helped me to get me an internship at the local newspaper.

A phrase used to decline giving money to someone or something, often to a charitable cause. A: "Mister, do you want to donate to my Scout troop?" B: "Sorry, sonny, I gave at the office." Hoo boy, I really wish I could help you out with some money, but I gave at the office.

Another in a series of typical, ordinary days, especially in the context of work. (Often used to highlight that one's typical day consists of things not normal for most people.) A: "How was your day, dear?" B: "Oh, just another day at the office—customers threatening to sue, employees trying to steal merchandise, the usual. During the team's peak, each win seemed like just another day at the office. Now that they've fallen so far in the ranks, every win feels hard earned.

A very large volume of trade or business, especially when conducted in or over a short period of time. We always do a land-office business in camping tents in the weeks leading up to the local music festival.

To assume a position of political authority, especially one that is granted as the result of a public election. The controversial businesswoman had hardly taken office in the senate before becoming immediately embroiled in scandal. I promise that when I take office, I'm going to dedicate my time and energy to solving this city's homelessness crisis.

The management of an organization, usually a business. Don't ask me—all the decisions get made by the front office. The front office is expected to make a lot of personnel changes in the offseason.

Through someone's assistance or influence. It was through the State Department's good offices that we were able to locate our son in Cambodia. My uncle is great friends with the college dean, and it was through his good offices that I was able to get in despite my poor grades.

Through someone's assistance or influence. It was through the good offices of the State Department that we were able to locate our son in Cambodia. Through the good offices of my uncle, who is close friends with the college dean, I was able to get in despite my poor grades.

I want to talk to you in the privacy of my office. (Typically said by a supervisor to a lower-ranking employee.) "Mr. Franklin," said Bill's boss sort of sternly, "Could I see you in my office for a minute? We need to talk about something."

Fig. to do a large amount of buying or selling in a short period of time. The icecream shop always does a land-office business on a hot day. The tax collector's office did a land-office business on the day that taxes were due.

to drive someone out of an elective office. The city coun­ il forced out the mayor, who resigned under pressure. Please resign immediately, or I'll have to drive you out.

Fig. a large amount of business done in a short period of time. We always do a land-office business at this time of year. We keep going. Never do land-office business—just enough to make out.

to begin serving as an elected or appointed official. When did the mayor take office? All the elected officials took office just after the election.

The policy-making or executive individuals in an organization, as in I'll have to check with the front office before I can give you a discount. This term was originally underworld slang for police headquarters or the main detective bureau. It soon was extended to other administrative offices and their personnel. [c. 1900]

A thriving, expanding, or very profitable concern or volume of trade. For example, After the storm they did a land-office business in snow shovels and rock salt. This term, dating from the 1830s, alludes to the throng of applicants to government land offices through which Western lands were sold. It has been used for other booming business since the mid-1800s.

Assume an official position or employment, as in The new chair takes office after the first of the year. [Mid-1800s]

If a company is doing a land-office business or is doing land-office business, it is very successful. The Paradiso, one of the capital's newest and most luxurious clubs, was doing a land-office business. Scooter and bicycle dealers are doing land-office business. Note: In the United States before the Civil War, the government opened up land offices which sold rights to pieces of land in the West. So many people wanted to buy land to settle on that there were often long queues outside the offices before they opened in the morning.

A sarcastic description of an unusual event, usually but not always at a workplace. An online race car article by Kenny Bruce had, “Jimmie Johnson finally wins at Bristol and it’s just another day at the office for the four-time Sprint Cup champion” (March 21, 2010). Or, “A co-worker who was being let go vented his rage in a shooting spree—just another day at the office!”

A booming enterprise. This term dates from the 1830s and refers to local land offices of the U.S. government that registered applicants for purchasing government lands in the West. Although the government had been in the business of selling its land to settlers since Revolutionary times, from the 1820s on this business was greatly augmented and land offices saw long lines of applicants. By the mid-nineteenth century the term land-office business had been transferred to any fast-expanding or very profitable enterprise. Reporting on an election in 1875, the Chicago Tribune stated, “The taprooms adjoining the polls were all open and doing a land-office business.”

An explanation for not contributing to a cause or organization, or an excuse not to donate or participate in anything. Campaigns for civic and charitable causes like the Red Cross and Community Chest were once far more prevalent at places of business than they now are, and people routinely made donations. Someone who was approached at home or elsewhere could have a valid excuse of “I gave through the office.”By extension, the phrase came to be used to slough off any kind of request. For example, someone who asked for a $20 loan might have been met with “Sorry, I gave at the office.” An old chestnut of a joke tells about the man who was lost on a camping trip. Rescuers scoured the wilderness until a medical emergency team finally spotted a solitary figure across a wide chasm. “Charlie Smith,” someone shouted,” “is that you?” “Yes, it is,” came the reply. “Who are you?” “We're from the Red Cross.” “I gave through the office!” Charlie shouted back.