Matter

discuss matter

Have you discussed this matter with anyone else?

be matter

The kind of damage to the environment should be a matter of concern to us all.

look into matter

We took the matter up with the manager and he promised to look into it.

bring matter

I said I’m sorry, so why can’t you let the matter drop?

>Okay. I promise not to bring the matter up again.

settle matter

Let’s settle this matter once and for all. We’ve been trying to resolve it for months now.

get matter

We’ve no tome to deal with that just now, so let’s get on with the matter in hand and try to finish what we’ve started.

delicate matter

Look, this is a rather delicate matter, Wendy can’t afford to go on the trip and I’d like to offer to pay for her, but I’m worried that she might be offended.

serious matter

It might seem funny to you, but setting fire to a wastepaper bin is no laughing matter – it is a very serious matter indeed!

different matter

I don’t mind bees, wasps, files and things like that, but spiders are a different matter entirely!

trivial matter

Ok, have it your way. The colour of the paper is such a trivial matter that it’s not worth fighting about.

urgent matter

Please try to find him. There is an extremely urgent matter I need to talk to him about. Tell him that it can’t wait till tomorrow.

personal matter

Excuse me, Mr Thompson, could I talk to you in private? It’s a personal matter.

easy matter

It should have been a simple matter, but getting through to the helpline was no easy matter!

complex matter

Collocation can be a very complex matter.

knowledge of the matter

He denies any knowledge of the matter. He says he wasn’t involved.

the fact of the matter

A holiday would be wonderful, but the fact of the matter is that we can’t afford one.

the heart of the matter

We need to get to the heart of the matter before we can help.

the end of the matter

This is by no means the end of the matter – I won’t give up the fight that easily.

light on the matter

My bag is missing and I was hoping you might be able to shed some light on the matter.

advice on the matter

Of course I’ll take advice on this matter, but I already know what I’m going to do.

nothing on the matter

When asked about his reasons for resigning, he had nothing to say on the matter.

word on the matter

You can’t go to the concert. And that’s my last word on the matter. Don’t bring the subject up again! You’re too young.

discussion on the matter

You won’t get anywhere, I’m afraid. They refuse to enter into any discussion on the matter.

 

Notes

• Note this common question:

What’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost!

• Note this common expression:

Well’ if there’s no choice in the matter, I suppose I’ll have to go to the meeting.

• Note these expressions using matter + of + noun:

Can’t we do this tomorrow? It’s hardly a matter of life or death, is it?

Safety standards in the industry have been a matter of concern for many years.

Which is the best cheese? It’s a matter of personal taste.

It can only be a matter of time before war breaks out.

• One way of disagreeing with someone is to say:

Well, I think it’s a matter of opinion.

5. Notice this expression:

Don’t get involved, Clare. This is a family matter.