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
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.
Women’s inclusion in AI development is not only a matter of representation but also a practical necessity to address issues that often go unnoticed in homogeneous teams. Manasi Sharma, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 The American victory and the opening of an offensive by the Soviets on the eastern front made the fall of the Third Reich all but a matter of time. James Powel, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024 On the flip side, the textile industry sees more tariffs as a matter of life and death. Evan Clark, WWD, 16 Dec. 2024 Mentorship is a matter of exchanging information and providing wisdom for people who are looking for it. Mackenzie Cummings-Grady, Billboard, 13 Dec. 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 26 Dec. 2024.

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