the show must go on

phrase

informal
used to say that a performance, event, etc., must continue even though there are problems

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“The show must go on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20show%20must%20go%20on. Accessed 6 Mar. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster