there's no business like show business
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
The domain of the entertainment industry is more dazzling and exciting than any other business.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
One must keep going in life or continue in one's endeavors despite their many challenges.
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “there's no business like show business” mean?
The domain of the entertainment industry is more dazzling and exciting than any other business.
Is “there's no business like show business” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.