The phrase "unfinished business" is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription as /ʌnˈfɪnɪʃt ˈbɪznɪs/. The first syllable of "unfinished" is pronounced as "un" with a schwa sound, followed by "fi" and "ni" with a short "i" sound, and the last syllable "shed" with a long "e" sound. The second word "business" is pronounced with a short "i" sound in the first syllable, followed by "z" sound, and ending with "ness." This phrase refers to tasks or responsibilities that were not completed and still need to be addressed.
Unfinished business refers to tasks, activities, or issues that remain incomplete or unresolved. It generally denotes any outstanding or pending matters that require attention, action, or closure. The term can be applied to a wide array of scenarios, ranging from personal endeavors to professional obligations and even interpersonal relationships.
In personal contexts, unfinished business could refer to tasks or goals that have not been completed or achieved. It might include unfulfilled ambitions, aspirations, or dreams that individuals are still striving to accomplish. Additionally, it can encompass incomplete projects, hobbies, or personal development pursuits that have been put on hold or require further attention.
In a professional setting, unfinished business usually denotes pending tasks, projects, or assignments that have not been completed within the designated timeframe. This could include unsubmitted reports, incomplete projects, or unresolved work-related issues that need to be addressed to meet organizational or professional standards.
Furthermore, unfinished business may also refer to interpersonal matters that have not been resolved. It could involve lingering emotional conflicts, unresolved disagreements, or unaddressed misunderstandings between individuals or parties. This definition extends to include relationships that have not undergone proper closure or still require additional communication or reconciliation.
In summary, unfinished business encapsulates any tasks, endeavors, obligations, or issues that remain incomplete, requiring further attention, action, or resolution in personal, professional, or interpersonal contexts.
The word "unfinished" derives from the prefix "un-" which means "not" or "lack of", combined with the word "finished". "Finished" originates from the Old French word "finir" meaning "to complete" or "to conclude". The word "business" comes from the Old English word "bisigness" which referred to "care", "anxiety", or "occupation". The combination of "unfinished" and "business" evolved over time to represent tasks, matters, or affairs that have not been completed or resolved.