Have no business

Meaning

The idiom "have no business" means that someone or something has no right, authority, or reason to interfere in a particular matter. It suggests that the person or thing is not qualified or experienced enough to have any input or decision-making power in that matter. The phrase can also indicate that someone's involvement in a situation is unwelcome or unintended.

Usage

• "The new manager has no business making decisions about our department without consulting us."
• "You don't have any business telling me how to raise my child."
• "He has no business interfering in our relationship."
• "She has no business making changes to the project without consulting me first."
• "The government has no business controlling people's choices about healthcare."

Roots and History

The earliest known use of the phrase "have no business" dates back to the 16th century, where it was used in legal contexts to mean that a person had no right or authority to make decisions or act on behalf of another. Over time, the phrase has evolved to include situations outside of legal contexts and can be used to refer to any situation where someone's involvement is unwelcome or unintended.

Synonyms in English

• Has no business
• Has no right
• Is not qualified
• Is not experienced
• Is not authorized

Synonyms in other languages

• In German: "Es hat nichts mit dir zu tun" (It has nothing to do with you)
• In French: "Il n'a pas le droit/l'autorité de..." (He doesn't have the right/authority to...)
• In Spanish: "No tiene derecho a..." (He doesn't have the right to...)
• In Italian: "Non ha diritto/autorevolezza di..." (He doesn't have the right/authority to...)
• In Japanese: "あなたはそれについて何の責任がありませんか？" (What responsibility do you have for that?)

Similar Idioms

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• hand in hand

• have eyes only for