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
There was a time when fighter planes were relatively cheap, could be developed in a matter of months, and even a modest air force could operate wings with thousands of aircraft.
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New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2025
The trio includes colorful masks to restore, firm, and revitalize the under-eye area in a matter of minutes.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Organizers may arguably have a moral obligation to fairness, and a duty of care to contestants, but the competition’s integrity is, primarily, a matter of reputation.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
As a result of rampant loopholes, high legal thresholds and limited enforcement, experts say, employers are largely shielded from criminal liability, while workers can be rounded up and deported in a matter of minutes.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Nov. 2025
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New Atlas, 29 Nov. 2025
The trio includes colorful masks to restore, firm, and revitalize the under-eye area in a matter of minutes.
—Jamie Allison Sanders, PEOPLE, 29 Nov. 2025
Organizers may arguably have a moral obligation to fairness, and a duty of care to contestants, but the competition’s integrity is, primarily, a matter of reputation.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 29 Nov. 2025
As a result of rampant loopholes, high legal thresholds and limited enforcement, experts say, employers are largely shielded from criminal liability, while workers can be rounded up and deported in a matter of minutes.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 28 Nov. 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 1 Dec. 2025.
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