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
Rushing because a cyclone was headed their way in a matter of days, the team built in six days a steel structure five by five by two meters high, anchored in the seabed and charged by a small onboard battery.
—
Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Not that long ago, upgrades on cruises were a matter of loyalty and luck.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 28 Mar. 2025
Whether Camilla truly orchestrated the feud or simply benefited from it remains a matter of speculation.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 28 Mar. 2025
Rosé is almost guaranteed to break the record within a matter of days.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
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Ian Urbina, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Not that long ago, upgrades on cruises were a matter of loyalty and luck.
—Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 28 Mar. 2025
Whether Camilla truly orchestrated the feud or simply benefited from it remains a matter of speculation.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 28 Mar. 2025
Rosé is almost guaranteed to break the record within a matter of days.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 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 11 Apr. 2025.
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