Meaning & use
matter at hand
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
the subject or problem that people are dealing with right now, rather than other possible ones.
Grammar: Used with "the" and treated as a singular noun: the matter at hand is urgent.
Patterns
- the matter at hand
- discuss the matter at hand
- turn to the matter at hand
- focus on the matter at hand
Let's leave the budget for later and return to the matter at hand.
The chair asked everyone to keep their comments on the matter at hand.
She dealt with the matter at hand quickly and then took questions.
phrasefixed phraseformal
the question or topic that a particular piece of writing or speech is mainly about.
Grammar: Often used after verbs like "address" or "consider" when describing a text or talk.
Patterns
- address the matter at hand
- the matter at hand is something
- consider the matter at hand
The report addresses the matter at hand in its opening chapter.
His speech stayed with the matter at hand and avoided side issues.
Before we go further, let us consider the matter at hand.
Common combinations
- the matter at hand
- Please keep your questions focused on the matter at hand.
- turn to the matter at hand
- After a short break, the group turned to the matter at hand.
- address the matter at hand
- The new policy does little to address the matter at hand.
- stick to the matter at hand
- We should stick to the matter at hand and not raise old complaints.
- the matter at hand is urgent
- The matter at hand is urgent, so we need a decision today.
Synonyms and how they differ
- the issue
- More neutral and more common in everyday speech; "the matter at hand" sounds more formal and stresses that this is the current topic.
- the point
- Used when the topic is a single question in an argument; "the matter at hand" is wider and can cover a whole problem.
- the business at hand
- Very close in meaning and equally formal, but it suggests practical work to be done rather than something to be discussed.
Commonly confused: matter at hand or on hand? matter at hand or at hand?
matter at hand vs on hand
"On hand" means present or available, as in "extra staff were on hand"; it does not mean the topic being discussed.
matter at hand vs at hand
"At hand" alone means near in time or place, as in "help was at hand"; add "the matter" to talk about the current topic.
Practice
Which sentence uses "the matter at hand" correctly?
Choose one answer.
"The matter at hand" means the topic being dealt with now, so a meeting working on it fits. Option 2 confuses it with a physical object you can put down; option 3 treats it as a place; option 4 uses it as an adjective, which it is not.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “matter at hand”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.