The rest of the meeting was taken up by routine matters
different
I don't mind lizards, but snakes are a different matter
VERB + MATTER
bring up, broach, raise
I thought I'd better broach the matter with my boss. The matter will be raised at our next meeting
address, debate, discuss, go into, take up
I don't really want to go into this matter now
pursue, take further
After legal advice I chose to take the matter further
drop
His lawyer advised him to drop the matter
consider, examine, look at/into, tackle
clarify, clear up, decide, resolve, settle
It's a relief to have the matter settled
approach, deal with, treat
Police are treating the matter as a murder enquiry
PREP
in a/the ~
I don't have much experience in these matters. Do I have any choice in the matter?
on a/the ~
Speak to your manager if you need help on this matter
~ for
The incident is definitely a matter for the police
~ of
It's a matter of concern to all of us. We discussed the matter of whether or not to hire a bus. Getting the effect you want is a matter of trial and error
PHRASES
the crux/heart of the matter (= the most important part of a subject/ situation), let the matter drop/rest
She refused to let the matter rest
the matter in hand
Let's concentrate on the matter in hand for now, and leave other issues till later