and the band played on

and the band played on

Used to describe a serious situation that is being ignored or overshadowed, usually intentionally. People have tried for years to talk about how budget cuts have decimated hospitals, and the band played on. It's only now, in the face of a nationwide crisis, that people are finally acknowledging the dangerous situation we're in.
See also: and, band, on, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • band
  • couple
  • couple of
  • a couple of (people or things)
  • elephant
  • elephant in the corner
  • elephant in the room
  • elephant in the room, an
  • the elephant in the corner
  • the elephant in the room