Close of Business, often abbreviated, signifies the end of a standard workday. In email communication, it serves as a temporal marker indicating a deadline or expectation for a task’s completion. For example, a sender might request, “Please submit the report by Close of Business today.” This informs the recipient that the report is needed before the typical workday concludes, usually 5:00 PM in the sender’s time zone, unless specified otherwise.
Utilizing this temporal marker enhances clarity and reduces ambiguity in workplace communication. It provides a definitive timeframe, preventing misunderstandings about when a task is due. Its use contributes to efficient project management, as it establishes clear expectations and accountability. While the exact time this represents can vary across organizations and geographic locations, the intention to denote the end of the workday remains consistent. Historically, its usage has evolved alongside formal business practices and continues to be relevant in modern digital communication.