the fact/truth of the matter

the fact of the matter

The most basic, fundamental truth of something. I know these regulations are unpopular, but the fact of that matter is that we have to control property prices if we are going to avoid an economic crisis like what we faced in the past. He never shies away from discussing the fact of the matter, even if it means he comes across badly.

See also: fact, matter, of

the truth of the matter

The most basic, fundamental truth of something. I know these regulations are unpopular, but the truth of that matter is that we have to control property prices if we are going to avoid an economic crisis like what we faced in the past. He never shies away from discussing the truth of the matter, even if it means he comes across badly.

See also: matter, of, truth

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

the ˈfact/ˈtruth of the matter

used when you want to show you are being honest, or when you are telling somebody something unusual or surprising: I didn’t take anything, and that’s the truth of the matter. ♢ The fact of the matter is that they only got married so she could stay in the country.

See also: fact, matter, of, truth

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017