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

The regime insists that it’s business as usual in Hong Kong.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

And while LIV chiefs have bullishly insisted it is business as usual, senior figures in European golf have told BBC Sport they believe LIV will not continue past this year.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

"I don't think you should expect things to go back to business as usual," he said.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

Friday is business as usual for the U.S.

From Barron's • Apr. 2, 2026

The United States would remain strong, he vowed—but Americans should not view the Cold War as business as usual.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin