1SUBJECT/SITUATION 事情/情况 [countableC]SUBJECT a subject or situation that you have to think about or deal with 〔必须考虑或处理的〕事情,问题
There are important matters we need to discuss.
我们有更重要的事情需要讨论。
matter for
The legal arrangements for the sale are a matter for negotiation.
这笔买卖在法律上的安排需要经过谈判商定。
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Matter is used especially in formal or official contexts. In everyday English, people usually use subject, or just say it: matter尤用于正式或官方文体中。在日常英语中,人们一般说subject,或只说it
I’ve talked to him about the matter. → I’ve talked to him about it. 这事我已经跟他谈过了。
2matters[plural]SITUATION a situation that you are in or have been describing 〔正在面临或谈到的〕事情,情况,事态
Maybe some of these suggestions will help to improve matters.
也许这其中的有些建议会让情况好起来。
Matters can be more easily sorted out once you get to the resort.
你到了度假胜地之后,事情就好办了。
His long absences didn’t help matters (=made the situation worse).
他长期缺席使事情变得更糟了。
to make matters worse (=used to say that something makes a bad situation worse) 使情况更糟的是
The team has lost the last two games and, to make matters worse, two of its best players are injured.
球队输了最近的两场比赛,雪上加霜的是,两个最优秀的队员受伤了。
to complicate matters further (=used to say that something makes a complicated situation more complicated) 使情况更复杂的是
To complicate matters further, the law on this issue has been changed.
使情况更复杂的是,关于这个问题的法规也改变了。
Examples from the Corpus
to make matters worse• Now we have two wonderful sightscreens, and to make matters worse they have been positioned at either end of the ground.• And to make matters worse I took an instantdislike to the wife.• And to make matters worse, it was a white guy my mum had an affair with.• And, to make matters worse, it cuts off all medicalbenefits to their spouses and children.• Politically, moreover, Mr Wahid continues to make matters worse for himself.• And a woman doctor, to make matters worse.• So we have been moving to make matters worse by encouragingprivateinsurers to take over Medicare.• The return of Churchill to officethreatenedto make matters worse.
as a matter of fact• As a matter of fact, I have the woman's name written down somewhere.• And, as a matter of fact, the U. S. GolfAssociation was delighted.• The wife of a prominentbanker, his own banker as a matter of fact, said the banker liked mashedpotatoes.• You know as a matter of fact there is nothing as old as crookedness.• Saw her awhile back at the Community Theater, as a matter of fact.• Yes, it seemed to, as a matter of fact.• It rained all weekend, as a matter of fact, and on the Monday morning I got a shock.• Well, as a matter of fact, I heard he's still going out with Julie.• We all were, as a matter of fact.• I like almost all women, as a matter of fact.
5what’s the matter?/something’s the matter/nothing’s the matter etcspoken used to ask or talk about why someone seems worried, unhappy, or ill, why something about a situation seems wrong, or why a machine seems not to be working properly 怎么了?/有点问题/没什么问题等
What’s the matter? You look as though you’ve been crying.
怎么了?你看上去好像哭过。
‘Is something the matter?’ ‘Just a headache – I’ll be fine in a minute.’
“怎么了?”“只是头疼——一会儿就好了。”
You look worried. Is there anything the matter?
你看上去有心事,出什么事了吗?
What’s the matter with Bill?
比尔怎么了?
What’s the matter with your eye? It looks red.
你眼睛怎么了?看上去红红的。
I know something’s the matter. You’re frightened of something.
我知道有点问题,你在害怕什么事情。
Nothing’s the matter, honestly, I’m fine.
没事,真的,我很好。
There was nothing the matter with it (=it was all right) when I lent it to him.
我把它借给他时还好好的。
She had something the matter with her back.
她的后背有点毛病。
6the truth/fact of the matter is (that)spoken used when saying what you think is really true concerning a situation 事实/事情真相是
The truth of the matter is that we don’t know exactly how the disease is spread.
实际情况是,我们不了解这种疾病究竟是怎么传播的。
Examples from the Corpus
the truth/fact of the matter is (that)• For the fact of the matter is, all the fight has been taken out of Blue.
7for that matterADDused to say that what you are saying about one thing is also true about something else 对…同样如此
Ben never touched beer, or any kind of alcohol for that matter.
本从来不碰啤酒,也不喝其他什么酒。
He’s an artist who has never been as well-known here, or for that matter as well-respected, as he has been in the USA.
作为一名艺术家,他在这里从未像他在美国那样出名,也不像在美国那样受人尊敬。
Examples from the Corpus
for that matter• All writers, and for that matter, all texts, have their individualqualities.• Given ongoingfitness, how long might either remain in countycricketfor that matter?• Or raven-black hair, for that matter.• Nor, for that matter, do the local residents have any notion of this facility.• Nor, for that matter, is life and death.• And I said well I said for that matter we should really uh think about getting generators.• You know the potential problems with my wave-riding interpretation of Quantum Theoryor for that matter with any other I have yet heard?• And a lot of other trees, too, for that matter.
8be (quite) a different matter (also be (quite) another matter) especially British EnglishBrESERIOUS SITUATION used to say that a situation or action is very different from the one you have just mentioned, and may not be as easy, pleasant etc 不是一回事,完全是另一码事
She didn’t mind seeing him in a group but an intimate dinner in a restaurant was another matter altogether.
大家在一起见见他,她并不介意,但是在饭店里亲密进餐就另当别论了。
Examples from the Corpus
be (quite) a different matter• However, in the workplace, where productivitythrives on positiverelationships, it can be a different matter.• But the possessions of the church of Canterbury were a different matter.• But the saying and the doing are different matters and are often worlds apart.• The others looked at me oddly; they didn't have bulimics in their group - that was a different matter.• But the Friday round, during which a steadyrain fell unceasingly, was a different matter.
9take matters into your own handsDO something/TAKE ACTIONto deal with a problem yourself because other people have failed to deal with it 〔因别人不能处理而〕把事情接过来亲自处理
Local people took matters into their own hands and hired their own security guards.
当地人自己动手来解决问题,雇用了他们自己的保安人员。
Examples from the Corpus
take matters into your own hands• The citycounciltook matters into its own hands and set a date for the meeting.• The last thing leaders want is Tutsi who survived the genocidetaking matters into their own hands.• As a result, some countries have taken matters into their own hands.• When the psycho is caught, then let go on a technicality, Momtakes matters into her own hands.• So why not take matters into our own hands?• She was more than capable of taking matters into her own hands.• She then took matters into her own hands.• Finally the women of Buntong Tiga can stand it no longer - they take matters into their own hands.
10it’s only/just a matter of timeCERTAINLY/DEFINITELYused to say that something will definitely happen in the future 只是时间问题〔用于说明某事必定会发生〕
It can only be a matter of time before someone is seriously injured.
有人受重伤只是时间早晚的问题。
Examples from the Corpus
it’s only/just a matter of time• It was only a matter of time before Lynn found out Phil's secret.• Your father is dying and there's nothing we can do. I'm afraidit's just a matter of time.• But they believe it's only a matter of time before the disease crosses the countyboundary.• You'll learn how to do it eventually -- it's only a matter of time.• If he hasn't already killedsomebody, then it's only a matter of time.• They think it's only a matter of time before he breaks.
11a matter of life and/or deathIMPORTANTa situation that is extremely serious or important, especially one in which someone could die 关乎生死的问题
The delay in the arrival of the ambulance could be a matter of life and death.
救护车服务的质量是关乎生死的问题。
Can’t it wait? It’s hardly a matter of life or death, is it?
就不能等等吗?这又不是生死攸关的事,对吧?
12be a matter of opinionused to say that people have different opinions about something, especially when you yourself have a negative opinion 是看法问题〔尤用于持反对意见〕
Whether or not he is any good as a manager is a matter of opinion.
他是不是好经理,这是看法问题。
Examples from the Corpus
be a matter of opinion• Whether Innocent could have achieved his ends earlier or by better means must in the finalanalysisbe a matter of opinion.• Many of these answersare a matter of opinion; some issues will matter more to some people than others.• Deciding which bag is easier to carry is a matter of opinion.• How successfully it is done is a matter of opinion on the part of the individualreader.• It is a grandconception; whether it is a useful one may be a matter of opinion.• Q: Well, that is a matter of opinion.• That would be a matter of opinion; he had a newspaper which he kept looking at, and shaking out.
13be a matter of (personal) taste/choice/preferenceused to say that different people like different things 是个人口味/选择/喜好的问题
I can’t say which wine is best – it’s a matter of personal taste.
我无法说哪种酒最好——这是个人口味的问题。
Examples from the Corpus
be a matter of (personal) taste/choice/preference• The amount of the increase or decreaseis a matter of preference.• The first is a matter of taste.• In the United States, food is a matter of taste, time and price.• Quite what that meansis a matter of taste, because a breed does not exist until it has been named.• The size of the pleatis a matter of choice.• If you think torturingbabies is good, that is a matter of taste.• This is a matter of choice.• Switching to the Normalchannel I would say that using the crunchoption for rocksolo work is a matter of taste.
14be a matter of principleto be something that you feel you must or must not do, because of your moralprinciples 是原则问题
She couldn’t take the money. It was a matter of principle.
她不能拿这笔钱,这是原则问题。
Examples from the Corpus
be a matter of principle• Dessertis a matter of principle here.• It was a matter of principle.• First, there are matters of principle.• They might have gone higher but this is a matter of principle.• It seemed, as much as anything, to be a matter of principle.
15be a matter of doing somethingDEPEND ON/RELY ONused to say that an actioninvolves doing something 是做某事的问题
be simply/largely/merely etc a matter of doing something
Reducing the number of road deaths is not simply a matter of improving roads.
20as a matter of course/routineUSUALLYif something is done as a matter of course or routine, it is the correct and usual thing to do in a particular situation 作为理所当然的事/按常规
We will contact your former employer as a matter of course.
我们将按常规和你以前的雇主联系。
Examples from the Corpus
as a matter of course/routine• They are very learned about cooking in San Francisco-people seem to expect as a matter of course things which we consider luxurious.• Voters expected as a matter of course that candidates would not keep all their promises.• Bloodsamples should be taken to measure the client's electrolyte and urea levels as a matter of routine.• If they meet as a matter of course throughout the year they can review and plan on a regularbasis.• Their generalhealth is better and they do not sufferrepeated or unwantedpregnanciesas a matter of course.• Enemyredoubts were strewn with boobytrapsas a matter of course.• Search at the police station should not be undertakenas a matter of routine but only where justified under Lindley v. Rutter.• By May first, I was able to walk from ten to twelve yardsas a matter of routine.
21no matter how/whether/what etc (also no matter the ...)SAME used to say that something is true or that something happens whatever the situation is 不管怎样/是否/什么等
Feeding a baby is a messy job no matter how careful you are.
给婴儿喂食,无论你怎么仔细,还是会弄得乱糟糟的。
I’m determined to visit Japan no matter what it costs.
23no matterspoken formal or old-fashionedUNIMPORTANT used to say that something is not important and will not affect a situation 不要紧,没关系
‘I’m afraid I forgot to bring a towel.’ ‘No matter, I’ve got one you can borrow.’
“不好意思,我忘记带毛巾了。”“不要紧,我有一条可以借给你用。”
Examples from the Corpus
no matter• No matter what position he plays, he'll be a great asset to the team.• No matter, I'll pick up the clothes at the cleanerstomorrow.• The one who will never staybehind, no matter how exhausted he is.• Paul always calls me every day, no matter where he is.• Businesses are a keycustomer of education, no matter what schools think of that concept.• No militarygeneral would willingly send his army into battleuntrained and ill-prepared, no matter how well-equipped.• The algorithm or the general calculational procedure-is just the same no matter how large the numbers are.• I found acceptance in my music, so -- no matter what I was -- they liked my music.• Dad was determined to get to the truth, no matter how long it took.• All are welcomeno matter if you only have a small plot.• I never win, no matter how hard I try.• I'm determined to go to New York, no matter how much it costs.
24it’s a matter of fact (that)used to say that something is a fact (…)是事实
It’s a matter of fact that the team have not performed as well this season.
这个赛季球队表现不好,这是事实。
25the little/small matter of somethingspokenREMIND/MAKE somebody REMEMBER something that is not important or not difficult – used when you really think something is important or difficult 某事这一小事〔当你认为某事重要或难办时所说的反语〕
He seemed unworried by the small matter of the war that was in progress.
战争还在进行,可他好像对这种小事毫不担心。
There’s the small matter of tonight’s game if we are to reach the finals.
我们若要进入决赛,还有今晚这场小小的比赛。
Examples from the Corpus
the little/small matter of something• What about the small matter of the rest of the season?• There's also the little matter of thirty-three shroud lines loops!• His manifesto, of course, concernsthe small matter of his life.• There remains, as ever, the little matter offinance.• On a good day, the building would be almost entirely rented-apart from the small matter ofsigning the contract.• But first there's the small matter of a semi-finalclash that has split the household down the middle.• This operation was tricky because there was the little matter of taking off my trousers and putting on my shorts.• Then there was the small matter of my physicalfitness.
26no matter thatUNIMPORTANTused to say that something is not important and will not affect a situation 即便,即使
I would always be an outsider here – no matter that I spoke fluent Spanish.
27reading/printed etc matterTCNthings that are written for people to read 阅读材料/印刷品等
As well as textbooks and other printed matter, courses may include video and audio cassettes.
除了教科书和其他印刷品,课程中还可能会使用视听盒带。
Examples from the Corpus
reading/printed etc matter• Thus the best libretto ever written for the best opera ever written is scarcely tolerable as reading matter.• There were also other changes, such as in availablereading matter.• The nobleLord is not, you understand a personalfriend of mine: just my currentreading matter.• Armed with the knowledgegleaned from reading matter and known computerbuffs I travelled far and wide.• Typographer a specialist in the design of printed matter, and in particular the art of typography.• Typography the design and planning of printed matter using type.• I was grateful for the information you conveyed regarding Heather's reading matter on Rhodes.• But they also noted whether there was reading matter in the house.
1IMPORTANT[intransitiveI not in progressive] to be important, especially to be important to you, or to have an effect on what happens 〔尤指对某人自己或对发生之事〕重要,要紧,有关系
it doesn’t etc matter if
Will it matter if I’m a little late?
我晚来一会儿不要紧吧?
If I have to stay late at work tonight, it won’t matter because we can go out another night.
如果今晚我必须工作到很晚的话,那也没关系,我们可以改天晚上再出去。
it doesn’t etc matter who/why/what etc
It doesn’t matter what you wear, as long as you look neat and tidy.
穿什么无所谓,只要看上去干净整洁就行。
Does it matter what I think?
我怎么想重要吗?
it doesn’t etc matter that
It does not matter that the gun was in fact unloaded.
枪里其实没子弹,但这并不重要。
Do you think it matters that the cups and saucers don’t match?
你觉得茶杯与杯托不相配要紧吗?
it doesn’t matter about something
Just give me $5 – it doesn’t matter about the rest.
给我五美元就行——其余的无所谓。
matter to
He had lost many of the people who mattered to him.
他失去了许多对他很重要的人。
matter a lot/a great deal
It mattered a great deal to her what other people thought of her.
别人怎么看她对她来说非常重要。
not matter much/matter little
I don’t think it matters much what you study.
我认为你学什么不是很重要。
campaigning on issues that really matter
以重大问题为竞选议题
all that matters/the only thing that matters
All that matters is that you are safe.
最要紧的是你平安无事。
Money was the only thing which mattered to him.
对他来说,钱是唯一重要的东西。
I don’t care what it looks like – what matters is that it works.
我不在乎外观——要紧的是它要管用。
At last she was with the man she loved and nothing else mattered.
最终她和她所爱的男人在一起了,其他都无关紧要。
She said very little during the meal. Not that it mattered (=it was not important).
她吃饭时话很少,那倒无所谓。
2it doesn’t matterspoken
a)WORRIEDused to tell someone that you are not angry or upset about something, especially something that they have done 没关系〔尤指对他人所做之事表示并不生气或介意〕
‘I’ve spilled some coffee on the carpet.’ ‘It doesn’t matter.’
“我把咖啡溅到地毯上了。”“没关系。”
b)DON'T CAREused to say that you do not mind which one of two things you have 无所谓〔用于表示选哪个都行〕
‘Red or white wine?’ ‘Oh, either. It doesn’t matter.’
“红葡萄酒还是白葡萄酒?”“噢,都行,无所谓。”
Examples from the Corpus
it doesn’t matter• "Do you want white or darkmeat?" "Oh, it doesn't matter."• "I think I taped over your show." "It doesn't matter - I already watched it."• It doesn't matter if you're a few minutes late. We'll wait for you.• "We've missed the train." "It doesn't matter - there's another one in 10 minutes."• It doesn't matter what other people think. You should do what you think is best.• It calls for brownsugar, but it doesn't matter - you can use white.
3what does it matter?spokenUNIMPORTANT used to say that something is not important 这有什么关系呢?〔表示某事不很重要〕
It all happened so long ago now, what does it matter?
这都是很久以前的事了,还有什么关系呢?
What does it matter how old I am?
我年纪多大有什么关系?
Examples from the Corpus
what does it matter?• We'll do it tomorrow or the next day. What does it matter?• Well, what does it matter?• Hill people, valley people, what does it matter if gullibility remainsunaffected by our environments?• The same as what does it matter whether or not I was a virgin when I met Gillian?
Examples from the Corpus
matter• None of the muddle in her room mattered.• They both said it didn't matter.• Does it matter if I bring my own car?• Why did the place matter so much?• Welcome to the sorrystate of the apology, when regrets seem to come most readily when they matter the least.• Moreover, the only properties he would allow to matter were ones that could be dealt with by the science of mathematics.• It matters what you wear to an evening of live theater.
Not that it mattered• Honest. Not that it mattered.• It was certainly feasible under Jamel Mobuto's new liberalleadership. Not that it mattered.• Perhaps she would believe how important his job was. Not that it mattered.• She contributed very little to the conversation as they ate their meal. Not that it mattered.• The light was directly above him now, increasing in intensity and hurting his eyes. Not that it mattered.
Originmatter1
(1100-1200)Old Frenchmatere, from Latinmateria“matter, substance”, from mater“mother”