the little/small matter
noun
—used in an ironic way to refer to a difficult situation or problem
He wants to buy a new car, but first there's the little/small matter of getting enough money to pay for it.
Examples of the little/small matter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Of course, before Clarke or anyone else can be nominated for a Tony this season, there’s the little matter of handing out the awards for the truncated 2019–2020 season.
—
Adam Green, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2021
But first, there’s the little matter of a three-day party, with the Lost Lederhosen Band performing each day, DJs, Oktoberfest karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights, at least 10 German-style beers on tap, contests, and plenty of German food under a big tent.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
There is also the small matter of Freddy’s affair with a very married Pat Kennedy, whose husband, Peter Lawford, procures women for his brother-in-law the President.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
There is also the small matter of the fish sandwich.
—Dan Rys, Billboard, 20 Apr. 2022
There is also the small matter of the 32-game difference in the standings.
—Evan Grant, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2021
There’s also the little matter of their induction last year into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2023
Plus, there’s the little matter of ending a losing streak.
—Dallas News, 3 Mar. 2023
Other changes will be far slower, including the small matter of the coins and bank notes with the queen’s face.
—Eliot Brown, WSJ, 10 Sep. 2022
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Adam Green, Vogue, 2 Sep. 2021
But first, there’s the little matter of a three-day party, with the Lost Lederhosen Band performing each day, DJs, Oktoberfest karaoke on Friday and Saturday nights, at least 10 German-style beers on tap, contests, and plenty of German food under a big tent.
—Chris Richards, Washington Post, 28 Sep. 2023
There is also the small matter of Freddy’s affair with a very married Pat Kennedy, whose husband, Peter Lawford, procures women for his brother-in-law the President.
—Parul Sehgal, The New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2023
There is also the small matter of the fish sandwich.
—Dan Rys, Billboard, 20 Apr. 2022
There is also the small matter of the 32-game difference in the standings.
—Evan Grant, Dallas News, 16 Sep. 2021
There’s also the little matter of their induction last year into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
—Marc Hirsh, BostonGlobe.com, 31 Aug. 2023
Plus, there’s the little matter of ending a losing streak.
—Dallas News, 3 Mar. 2023
Other changes will be far slower, including the small matter of the coins and bank notes with the queen’s face.
—Eliot Brown, WSJ, 10 Sep. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'the little/small matter.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“The little/small matter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20little%2Fsmall%20matter. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.
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