the business

1. Verbal abuse, scolding, or teasing; also, a beating. For example, At boarding school new kids always get the business, or The boxer faked and then gave his opponent the business. [Slang; c. 1940]

2. A harsh interrogation, as in The detectives gave each suspect the business. [Slang; c. 1940]

3. Dismissal from work or jilting, as in Once the new management takes over I'm sure to get the business, or Dorothy gave him the business and married someone else. [Slang; c. 1940]

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Sofia	zo-FEE-ah (German), so-FEE-ah (Italian), soo-FEE-ə (Portuguese), SO-fee-ah (Finnish)	Norwegian, Swedish, German, Italian, Portuguese, Catalan, Greek, Finnish, Estonian, Slovak, Romanian
Marjo (1)	MAHR-yo	Finnish, Dutch
Shaniqua	shə-NEE-kwə	African American (Modern)
Balfour	-	English (Rare)
Roghayeh	-	Persian
Marvyn	MAHR-vin	English (Rare)