Business trip

[Klpno]

Hello everyone

I'd like to ask about contexts where the phrase 'business trip' can be used. Can this phrase be used when talking, for example, about FBI/CIA agents? . Is it correct to say, "This agent was sent to Rome on a business trip." Or is it better to use the word 'mission' instead? And what about such people as attorneys, lawyers, government officials? Can 'business trip' be used when talking about them? Or this phrase is limited to business area (i.e. commerce) only?

[Yankee]

Hi KLPNO

I'd agree with you that it might sound odd to say that an FBI/CIA agent had been 'sent to Rome on a business trip', but I suppose context could justify it. To me, a 'business trip' would be of relatively short duration -- say a few days to a maximum of a few weeks. If the duration is longer than that, you can sometimes say that someone is 'on assignment', for example.
.

[Klpno]

Hi Amy

Thank you very much.