a matter of
idiom
1
—used to refer to a small amount
It cooks in a matter of (a few) minutes.
The crisis was resolved in a matter of a few hours.
The ball was foul by a matter of inches.
2
—used to say that one thing results from or requires another
Learning to ride a bicycle is a matter of practice.
His success was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
It's only a matter of time before/until we catch him.
3
—used to explain the reason for something
She insists on honesty as a matter of principle.
All requests for free tickets are turned down as a matter of policy.
Examples of a matter of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Justice Kavanaugh said that there were times that the Supreme Court had been able to move quickly on high-profile, high-consequence cases, pointing to the TikTok case the Supreme Court took up in a matter of weeks earlier this year.
—
Nik Popli, Time, 15 May 2025
By some estimates, Trump’s tariffs are expected to reduce real family income by $2,800, so that’s certainly a matter of vast economic importance.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2025
However, in only a matter of days, Hortiz got an unexpected but welcome assist in recruiting at least one of the replacements for Fox and Ford.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 13 May 2025
In a matter of minutes seven women were united in indignation.
—Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
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Nik Popli, Time, 15 May 2025
By some estimates, Trump’s tariffs are expected to reduce real family income by $2,800, so that’s certainly a matter of vast economic importance.
—Ian Millhiser, Vox, 13 May 2025
However, in only a matter of days, Hortiz got an unexpected but welcome assist in recruiting at least one of the replacements for Fox and Ford.
—Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 13 May 2025
In a matter of minutes seven women were united in indignation.
—Sherry Kuehl, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for a matter of
Cite this Entry
“A matter of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20matter%20of. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
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