matter of course

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

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.

• matter of routine
• matter of fact

• “matter of course”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.