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business lunch

business lunch

4 2.8
A meal, usually at a restaurant, where people discuss work matters
  • noun
  • /ˈbɪznəs lʌnʧ/
translation icon : almuerzo de negocios
  • Eating in Japan can be very expensive, so while you're visiting, see if your hotel offers a business lunch, and if so, that will save you big bucks.
  • deduction for a business lunch
  • business lunch or sales meeting
  • go on business lunch

But like, I, I had a, a business lunch in our neighborhood in Los Feliz.

Examples

  • I had a business lunch with Amy at the Four Seasons.

  • As this is a business lunch, a handshake is appropriate.

  • I was at a business lunch in a restaurant in West Palm Beach when the Challenger mission launched.

    Blog text (26)
  • A New York taxpayer claimed a deduction of $9,665 for business lunches in just one year.

    Academic text (1991)
  • I had a business lunch with my colleagues to discuss the new project.

  • We met at a restaurant for a business lunch to negotiate the contract.

  • During the business lunch, we reviewed the quarterly sales reports.

Synonyms

business meeting
vsbusiness lunch
36 2.2

A formal gathering where people talk about work or company matters

is specifically a meal occasion where work is discussed and often expensed
lunch meeting
vsbusiness lunch
5 2.1

A meeting during lunch to talk about work

is a meal occasion where work is discussed and often paid for
luncheon meeting
vsbusiness lunch
  • Formal
1 3.4

A business meeting held during lunch to discuss work

is a meal occasion focused on work and often covered as expense

How Formal

luncheon meeting
  • Formal
1 3.4
business lunch
4 2.8
luncheonette
  • Archaic
5 5.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

business + lunch

The meaning 'a lunch at which business matters are discussed' is directly derivable from combining 'business' (commercial matters) with 'lunch' (midday meal). This noun+noun modification is a regular, productive pattern in English (and common cross-linguistically), so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

The phrase business lunch comes from the simple idea of a business meeting held at lunch, where people eat and talk about work. Because deals and decisions were often made while eating, the term now means a meal 'to discuss business' and these lunches are often paid by the company.