the little/small matter

noun

—used in an ironic way to refer to a difficult situation or problem

He wants to buy a new car, but first there's the little/small matter of getting enough money to pay for it.

Examples of the little/small matter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Before then, there’s the small matter of the Pixel 9a, a mid-range variant of the current handsets. —

Ewan Spence, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Top 6 finish could yet be a real possibility with a bit of luck and some furious balancing - plus, of course, the small matter of getting something better, faster out of longer-term developers like Damsgaard and KLP. —

The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 7 Aug. 2024 There is the small matter of a U.S. presidential election coming up on November 5, an election that some are calling the most consequential in living memory. —

Dan Berger, Forbes, 1 Nov. 2024 Before then, there’s the small matter of an update to the iPhone SE. —

Ewan Spence, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for the little/small matter

Cite this Entry

Style

“The little/small matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20little%2Fsmall%20matter. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation