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head for business

head for business

3 4.6
An ability to understand and do well in business
  • idiom
translation icon : talento para los negocios
  • It takes patience and a good head for business.
  • a good head for business
  • got a head for business

Examples

  • I guess I just don't have a head for business. Things are kind of slow.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • I think you've lost your head for business.

  • But people like you said I had a head for business!

  • Well, has he any head for business?

  • "He did, and he himself showed a cool head for business for the first time in memory."

    Fiction book (1994)
  • An intelligent man with a strong head for business.

  • Truth is, he had no head for business, accounting... none of it.

  • Running a stand like this takes a good head for business, you know," Katie laughed.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • He'd discovered he had a good head for business.

    Fiction book (2000)
  • My father has no head for business.

How Business-Skilled

head for business
3 4.6
beginner
81 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

head + for + business

The phrase uses 'head' metaphorically to mean 'ability' or 'mind' combined with 'for business' to indicate an aptitude in business, so the overall sense is partly derivable from the constituents. However, the metaphoric use of 'head' as 'talent' is not fully literal and may not be immediately obvious to all B1 learners without prior exposure, making the expression only partially transparent.

Etymology

Head for business may come from the image of someone's head turned toward business, as if they naturally think about deals and money. That's why it means 'a natural ability to do well in business'.