/ˈmætə(r) ||; ˈmætɚ/noun a matter of hours, miles, etc used to say that sth is not very long, far, expensive, etc （用于表示不很长、远、贵等）就几小时、几英里…: The fight lasted a matter of seconds. 搏斗只持续了几秒钟。 a matter of life and/or death extremely urgent and important 极其紧迫和重要的事；生死攸关的事 another/a different matter something much more serious, difficult, etc 严重、困难…得多的事；另一回事: I can speak a little Japanese, but reading it is quite another matter. 我能说上几句日语，但阅读完全是另一码事。 as a matter of fact to tell the truth; in reality 其实；事实上: I like him very much, as a matter of fact. 其实，我很喜欢他。 for that matter in addition; now that I think about it 另外；也；就此事而言: Mick is really fed up with his course. I am too, for that matter. 米克真的极厌倦他所修的课程，我也是。 make matters/things worse→WORSEa matter of course something that you always do; the usual thing to do 例行的事；惯常的事；常规: Goods leaving the factory are checked as a matter of course. 出厂的货物都要经过例行检查。 a matter of opinion a subject on which people do not agree 看法不一致的问题: ‘I think the government is doing a good job.’ ‘That's a matter of opinion.’ “我认为政府做得很好。”“那倒见仁见智。” (be) a matter of sth/doing sth a situation in which sth is needed 有赖于某事物的情况: Learning a language is largely a matter of practice. 学习语言主要依靠多练习。 no matter who, what, where, etc whoever, whatever, wherever, etc 不管谁╱什么╱哪里…: They never listen no matter what you say. 不管你说什么，他们总是不听。