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
Critics have leaned on the fact that the lawyers come from the Pentagon, and therefore are military personnel, which would violate the PCA as a matter of technical fact, but the DOJ argues that those laws would apply if not for the changing status and nature of the personnel involved.
—
MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
Scam centers are now a matter of global diplomacy.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2025
In a matter of days, Adam ingratiates himself with each member of the Tanner clan.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Mamdani’s ability to lead New York City – and a wider post-Trump progressive movement – will be a matter of setting an example in rearticulating and reaffirming what that promise means, to him and to his city.
—Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 Nov. 2025
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MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Nov. 2025
Scam centers are now a matter of global diplomacy.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 15 Nov. 2025
In a matter of days, Adam ingratiates himself with each member of the Tanner clan.
—Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 14 Nov. 2025
Mamdani’s ability to lead New York City – and a wider post-Trump progressive movement – will be a matter of setting an example in rearticulating and reaffirming what that promise means, to him and to his city.
—Nicole West Bassoff, The Conversation, 14 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 23 Nov. 2025.
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