business is business en · X
Etymology
Possibly a calque of French les affaires sont les affaires (or vice versa). The French phrase is found as far back as George Sand's Mattea (1833).
Meanings
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Business matters should not be influenced by friendship or sentiment.
I've a mortgage now on Tompkins' lot; / What a fool he was to become a sot! […] How she will blubber and sob and sigh, / But business is business,—and what care I?
before 1843, anonymous author, The Grog-Seller's Dream:But money first, you know, Mark; business is business as the saying is; and there's nothing like the ready.
1846, Charles Rowcroft, The Bushranger of Van Diemen's Land:Although I am your nephew, I wouldn't think of asking you to lend me money without security. Business is business, so I say.
1874, Horatio Alger, Risen from the Ranks:
Translations (10)
es los negocios son los negocios (business is business) · pl biznes to biznes (business is business) · de Geschäft ist Geschäft (business is business) · ta தொழில் தொழில் தான் (business is business) · nl zaken zijn zaken (business is business) · it gli affari sono gli affari (business is business) · cmn 公事公辦 /公事公办 (business is business) · fi bisnes on bisnestä (business is business) · fr les affaires sont les affaires (business is business) · pt amigos, amigos; negócios à parte (business is business)