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
The consolidation wasn’t simply a matter of administration but rather an intentional shift in how Progressive approached innovation.
—
Stephen Wunker, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Republicans have long supported nuclear as a matter of energy security and reliability; President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act includes substantial incentives for nuclear projects.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024
However, protecting Native artists from being undercut by fakes is no longer simply a matter of policing galleries and markets.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
Of course, a matter of years later, his forecast came true with the Global Financial Crisis—and markets have heeded his insights ever since.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2024
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Stephen Wunker, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Republicans have long supported nuclear as a matter of energy security and reliability; President Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act includes substantial incentives for nuclear projects.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024
However, protecting Native artists from being undercut by fakes is no longer simply a matter of policing galleries and markets.
—Debra Utacia Krol, USA TODAY, 1 Dec. 2024
Of course, a matter of years later, his forecast came true with the Global Financial Crisis—and markets have heeded his insights ever since.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for a matter of
Dictionary Entries Near 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 15 Dec. 2024.
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