a matter of

phrase

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

One is a metabolic disorder involving high blood glucose and failing insulin, the other a matter of neurons and electrical pulses. — Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

The protection argument The debate over transgender athletes is often framed as a matter of protecting women. — Jesse Rhodes, The Conversation, 20 Oct. 2026

Guided by millions of years of evolution, our own brain cells know a thing or two about moving through a chaotic world where learning the right move is a matter of life and death. — Mike McRae 19, New Atlas, 20 Oct. 2026

The answer, according to etiquette expert and author Elaine Swann, was a matter of duration, in part. — Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for a matter of

• hereinabove
• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove