in business

IPA/ɪn bˈɪznəs/
IPA/ɪn bˈɪznəs/

in business — idiom

1. used to describe a company, shop, or organization that is currently running, tra

1.慣用語B1
釋義

used to describe a company, shop, or organization that is currently running, trading, and available for customers.

例句

Trang's small bakery on Maple Street has been in business for twelve years now.

be + in business for [duration]

After the flood damaged the shop, the owner fought hard to stay in business.

stay + in business after setback

同義詞
  • operating

    more general; in business implies actively trading

  • running

    focuses on the activity rather than the company's status

  • trading

    more formal; often used in official or financial contexts

反義詞

文法句型

be + in business

stay/keep + in business

go + out of business

用法筆記

Commonly paired with the verbs be, stay, and keep. The opposite pattern is go out of business.

常見錯誤

❌My father works in business for thirty years.
✅My father has been in business for thirty years.
💡in business is a state, not an action; use be (or stay/keep) rather than work.
❌The shop is in the business.
✅The shop is in business.
💡no article the is used before business in this fixed phrase.

2. having a career in buying, selling, or managing a company, rather than in a prof

2.慣用語B1
釋義

having a career in buying, selling, or managing a company, rather than in a profession such as medicine, law, or education.

例句

Ziad studied finance in college and now works in business as a consultant.

work + in business as [role]

Unlike her father the surgeon, Charlotte chose a career in business instead.

同義詞
  • in commerce

    more formal and slightly narrower, focusing on trade

  • in trade

    old-fashioned or British; can imply hands-on selling

  • in the private sector

    emphasises the contrast with public-sector or non-profit work

文法句型

be + in business

go + into business

work + in business

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense refers to a person's career or profession, not to the status of a company. The phrase go into business means 'start a career in commerce' here, not 'start a company'.

常見錯誤

❌She is in business as a doctor.
✅She is in business as a sales manager.
💡in business contrasts with professions like medicine or law; it does not fit doctors, lawyers, or teachers.
❌He has been in the business since 2010.
✅He has been in business since 2010.' (career sense) OR 'He has been in the car business since 2010.' (specific industry)
💡the career sense uses no article; adding an article changes the meaning to a specific industry.