matter of course

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English[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (file)

Noun[edit]

matter of course (plural matters of course)

  1. (idiomatic) A natural or logical outcome.
  2. (idiomatic) An expected or customary outcome.
    On some occasions standing ovations may be given to political leaders as a matter of course, rather than as a special honour.
    • [1877], Anna Sewell, “A Strike for Liberty”, in Black Beauty: [], London: Jarrold and Sons, [], →OCLC, part II, page 109:
      York might have known, and very likely did know, how that rein harassed me; but I suppose he took it as a matter of course that could not be helped; at any rate nothing was done to relieve me.
    • 1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd., →OCLC:
      In the eyes of Mr. Farquhar Fenelon Cooke the apotheosis of the Celebrity was complete. The people of Asquith were not only willing to attend the house-warming, but had been worked up to the pitch of eagerness. The Celebrity as a matter of course was master of ceremonies.

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