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

But regardless of the private enforceability issue, the court clearly wants everyone to shut up and pretend that Callais is business as usual.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 11, 2026

Even after all their years apart, it’s still business as usual.

From Salon • Apr. 24, 2026

Several media outlets - across golf, sports news and finance - reported its imminent closure, before LIV chief executive Scott O'Neil insisted it was business as usual in a tubthumping email to staff.

From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026

My dad glanced at my mom and for one delirious second I thought I was off the hook, that somehow I’d exonerated myself, and that we could all just go back to business as usual.

From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez