Business before pleasure.
Business before pleasure.
Meaning in plain English
The saying places business before pleasure. It asks that a responsibility or task be attended to before recreation.
Example
Someone completes an urgent agreed task before a planned break while keeping the break in the schedule.
Deeper explanation and when to use it
Before sets an order, not a complete ranking of life’s values. A useful application can concern an agreed obligation while recognising rest and enjoyment as legitimate needs. It should not require constant work or treat every leisure activity as a failure of duty.
When to use it
Use it to discuss ordering commitments and leisure in context.
Keep in mind
Work need not always outrank rest, wellbeing or other responsibilities.
Edsverb editorial interpretation · agent reviewed · 2026-10-05. This explains the saying; it does not establish its historical origin.
- Source
- Contributor-provided proverb reference
Supplied reference A; unit 170; PDF page 28
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