See also COMMERCE, COST, FINANCIAL.
biz
n. a business; business.What biz you in?I'm in the plumbing biz.
B.O.
n. “box office,” where tickets to some event are sold.The show was a big hit at the B.O.If you want your money back, you'll have to go to the B.O.
body count
n. the total number of unemployed people after a reorganization.The pink slips are coming out every day. The body count on Monday was twentythree.The body count will be high after the merger.
brass tacks
n. essential business. (Usually in “get down to brass tacks.”)Now that we are talking brass tacks, how much do you really want for this watch?Since we haven't gotten down to brass tacks, would it be unethical for me to buy you lunch?
captain of industry
n. a corporation officer; a capitalist.The captains of industry manage to hang on to their money no matter what.It's fun to see those captains of industry drive up in their benzes.
company man
n. a man who always sides with his employers.Ken's a company man—he'll always take management's side.You can depend on a company man to do as he is told.
exec
n. an executive.The execs are well-treated around here.They are even firing the execs now.
front man
n. a respectable and wellknown man who represents a less respectable person or organization.The former adviser now serves as a front man for a large foundation.The front man came out and made an announcement.
hands-on
mod. having to do with an executive or manager who participates directly in operations.We expect that he will be the kind of hands-on president we have been looking for.John is a handson manager. I wish he would stay in his office.
head hunt
tr. & in. to recruit someone (for a job).He went to the conference to head hunt a new employee.All the managers were there to head hunt.
headhunter
n. someone who recruits executives for employment. (Head means “boss” here.)The board of directors hired a headhunter to get a new manager.The headhunter brought in a few candidates, but nobody promising.
hole in the wall
n. a tiny shop, not much wider than its doorway.I went into this little hole in the wall where they had the nicest little gifts.His office is just a hole in the wall.
hot
mod. selling well.These things are really hot this season.Now, here's a hot item.
land office business
n. 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.
org
n. an organization.She's a member of the org and can't be expected to use independent judgment.Come on, join the org.
outfit
n. a group of people; a company.That outfit cheated me out of my money.I will never deal with that outfit again.
pinstriper
n. a businessman or businesswoman wearing a pinstriped suit.Who's the pinstriper driving the beemer?Wall Street is nothing but wall-to-wall pinstripers.
rep
n. a representative, usually a sales representative.Please ask your rep to stop by my office.Our rep will be in your area tomorrow.
repo
tr. to repossess a car.Some guy came around and tried to repo my car.She's good at repoing family cars.
show biz
n. show business.Well, that's show biz for you.Anybody who can make a living in show biz has to be clever and talented.
slave market
n. a job market where many candidates for jobs come face-toface with potential employers.I gotta go to the annual slave market this year. We're hiring for a change.There was little hope at the annual slave market. There were six jobs and 432 applicants.
suit
n. a businessman or businesswoman; someone who is in charge.This suit comes up and asks to go to the airport.A couple of suits checked into a working-class hotel and caused some eyebrows to raise.
sweetheart deal
n. a deal made between friends so that both may profit well. (Such deals usually involve illegal or unethical practices.)They found that the mayor was involved in a number of sweetheart deals.Most of the general contractors in town would be out of business if they didn't offer sweetheart deals to the politicians.
swindle sheet
n. an expense account record sheet or book.I turned in my swindle sheet yesterday, and no one challenged the $400 for new shoes.The government makes it hard to put just anything on your swindle sheet these days.
TCB
phr. “taking care of business”; doing things that have to be done. (Black. Initialism.)He's TCB; that's where he is.If I am just TCB and keeping my nose clean, I know I'm gonna be all right.
vest
n. an important businessman or businesswoman.One of the vests complained to the management about the way I cleaned his office.Some vest jumped out the window this afternoon.
wheeler-dealer
n. someone who bargains aggressively.She has turned into a real wheeler-dealer.Who's the wheeler-dealer who set up this deal?