business as usual

Idioms  

1. The normal course of some activity, as in The fire destroyed only a small section of the store, so it's business as usual. This term originated as an announcement that a commercial establishment was continuing to operate in spite of fire, construction, or some similar interruption. It had been extended to broader use by 1914, when Winston Churchill said in a speech: “The maxim of the British people is ‘Business as usual,’” which became a slogan for the rest of World War I. Today it may be used in this positive sense and also pejoratively, as in Never mind that most civilians are starving to death—the ministry regards its job to be business as usual. [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

business as usual

But at the brick kilns, it is business as usual, says Paswan.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026

Even if everything goes smoothly, don’t expect the global economy to go back to business as usual.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 2026

Colbert opened the show with his usual monologue, telling the audience it was going to be business as usual instead of a "special" farewell episode.

From BBC ● May 22, 2026

That is to say, pretty much Wilson business as usual.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 11, 2026

How could they proceed with business as usual?

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen