matter of course

Noun

matter of course (plural matters of course)

1. (idiomatic) An outcome or course of events regarded as natural, logical, obvious, or inevitable.
   • 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.[1877], Anna Sewell, “A Strike for Liberty”, in Black Beauty: […], London: Jarrold and Sons, […], →OCLC, part II, page 109
2. (idiomatic) Proper or common practice.
   • On some occasions standing ovations may be given to political leaders as a matter of course, rather than as a special honour.
   • 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.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

   Synonyms:

   custom, protocol, tradition, habit, routine

3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see matter, of course.
   • but at this point it doesn't really matter, of course
   • that answer doesn't get to the heart of the matter, of course