abbreviation

CBA

see-bee-AY

CBA (abbreviation) means Can't be bothered: used in messages to say that you have no energy or willingness to do something. Example: “Cba to cook tonight, let's order in.”

abbreviation

informal Can't be bothered: used in messages to say that you have no energy or willingness to do something.

"Cba to cook tonight, let's order in."

"I was invited but honestly cba."

noun

business Cost-benefit analysis: a systematic comparison of the costs of a decision against its expected benefits.

"The council commissioned a CBA before approving the bypass."

business Collective bargaining agreement: a contract negotiated between an employer and a trade union or players' association setting pay and working conditions.

"The new CBA raised the minimum salary for rookies."

How to Use CBA

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishText shorthand for 'can't be bothered'.

When to use it

The 'can't be bothered' sense is British and Australian texting slang and is never used in formal writing. The business senses appear in reports and news coverage.

Memory tip

The slang sense is usually followed by 'to' plus a verb or by 'with' plus a noun: cba to argue, cba with the queue.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

CBA vs CBT CBA vs collective agreement

Common pairings

cba with that cba to reply conduct a CBA sign a new CBA

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

_____ to cook tonight, let's order in.

Etymology

An initialism of can't be bothered (also of cost-benefit analysis in business use).

Origin: English

Frequently Asked Questions

What does cba mean in texting?

It means 'can't be bothered' — a way of saying you lack the motivation to do something. It is chiefly British and Australian usage and is normally written in lower case.

What is a CBA in business?

A cost-benefit analysis puts a value on everything a project will cost and everything it is expected to return, so the two can be compared directly. If the benefits outweigh the costs by a sufficient margin, the project is judged worthwhile.

Is cba rude?

It is blunt rather than offensive. Saying cba to a friend is casual and normal, but it can sound dismissive if you use it in reply to a request from a colleague or a manager.