the fact of the matter is
phrase
—used to emphasize a statement that follows
She thinks she knows what she's talking about, but the fact of the matter is, she's wrong.
Cite this Entry
“The fact of the matter is.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20fact%20of%20the%20matter%20is. Accessed 18 Mar. 2026.
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