An idiom? -- "This man can use the business."

[Gilbert]

"This man can use the business."

It could refer either to the man who didn't meet the expactions (didn't do what he was asked to) or to the other man, within whom the hope lies (he might do what the previous man didn't). The second man is a businessman, he runs his own business (undertaker's), the first man is just a police radio operator.

Can someone help me?

[Casiopea]

"This man can use the business."

It could refer either to the man who didn't meet the expactions (didn't do what he was asked to) or to the other man, within whom the hope lies (he might do what the previous man didn't). The second man is a businessman, he runs his own business (undertaker's), the first man is just a police radio operator.

Can someone help me?

If it's a businessman, then I'd guess it's the undertaker who could use the business.

[Gilbert]

I knew it! The question is: what **** does it mean? Something like "He's good at...", "He is very capable."? Or is it "He will be ready/able to help me."?

[Casiopea]

I knew it! The question is: what does it mean? Something like "He's good at...", "He is very capable."? Or is it "He will be ready/able to help me."?

Gilbert, no, it's not figurative. It's literal. An undertaker prepares the dead, and if there haven't been any dead to prepare, then the undertaker will be idle, waiting around for dead bodies to prepare. If s/he hasn't any business (i.e., hasn't any customers), but needs the business in order to make money, then s/he could use the business, or rather s/he needs customers. Here 'use' means, needs, and 'business' means, customers.

[Gilbert]

Thanks a lot. I knew business could mean a customer, but what about the use... Thank you once again.