Out of business

Meaning

The idiom "out of business" means that a company or enterprise has ceased to exist or is no longer operating. It may refer to a store, restaurant, factory, or any other commercial establishment that has closed down permanently due to financial difficulties, legal issues, or other reasons.

Usage

• The local electronics shop was out of business last week, and I had to go to the city to buy a new computer.
• My favorite cafe on Main Street is now out of business, and I'm trying to find a new place to meet my friends.
• The factory where my father used to work closed down last year, and many people in our town are out of work.
• The movie theater near my house was out of business for months due to the pandemic, but it just reopened with strict safety protocols.
• I heard that the popular clothing brand went out of business a few years ago, and now its products can only be found at secondhand stores. The usage of the idiom "out of business" can vary depending on the context. For example, it may refer to a specific establishment or industry, but it can also be used more broadly to describe the overall state of the economy or market in a particular region.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "out of business" is not entirely clear, but it has been used since at least the 19th century. It may have derived from the phrase "out of trade," which was used to describe businesses that had gone bankrupt or were no longer operating. Over time, the idiom may have evolved to include businesses that had simply closed down for various reasons, not just financial difficulties.

Synonyms in English

• Closed down
• Shuttered
• Defunct
• Gone bust
• Bankrupt

Synonyms in other languages

• बroke (English) - 破壞されている (Japanese)
• 폐기 (English) - 버려진/폐기된 (Korean)
• 파멽 (English) - 사용되지 않은 (Arabic)
• تنقيدة الفرض (English) - أفضل حملة للشباكة (Arabic)
• تورق (English) - غير جدول (Arabic)

Similar Idioms

• on the rocks

• old school

• dog and pony show