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 episode, though, underscored the truism that the papacy is a matter of general public knowledge, interest and debate here, and that speculating about the pope’s current health and who might be next is a national pastime.
—
Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Instead, courts have adopted the rule as a matter of practice.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Feb. 2025
Associations that have neglected to save for years could have to scrape together millions of dollars in a matter of months.
—Rebecca Liebson, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
As a matter of fact, other than the United States of America, everywhere is bad on free speech.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Feb. 2025
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Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 20 Feb. 2025
Instead, courts have adopted the rule as a matter of practice.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 20 Feb. 2025
Associations that have neglected to save for years could have to scrape together millions of dollars in a matter of months.
—Rebecca Liebson, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2025
As a matter of fact, other than the United States of America, everywhere is bad on free speech.
—The Editors, National Review, 18 Feb. 2025
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 23 Feb. 2025.
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