English Idioms

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As a matter of fact

Meaning

"As a matter of fact" is an idiomatic expression used to introduce a statement that is going to surprise or interest the listener. It can also be used to emphasize the truthfulness of what is about to be said. The figurative meaning of this idiom is "Actually, I have something interesting or surprising to tell you".

Usage

  • "As a matter of fact, the company is planning to expand its operations in Asia." - This sentence implies that the speaker has some news or information related to the company's plans that the listener may not have been aware of.
  • "I forgot my keys, but as a matter of fact, I had a spare at home." - In this sentence, the speaker is using "as a matter of fact" to introduce a surprise or unexpected solution to a problem.
  • "I didn't think it was possible, but as a matter of fact, we finished the project ahead of schedule." - This sentence emphasizes the truthfulness and surprising nature of what is about to be said.
  • "As a matter of fact, I have never been to Paris before." - In this sentence, the speaker is using "as a matter of fact" to introduce a surprise or unexpected revelation about themselves.
  • "I was surprised to learn that there are more restaurants in New York City than anywhere else in the world. As a matter of fact, I've always wanted to visit New York and try out some of the food!" - In this sentence, the speaker is using "as a matter of fact" to introduce a surprising revelation about the number of restaurants in New York, which leads into their desire to visit the city.

Roots and History

The origin of the idiom "as a matter of fact" can be traced back to the 16th century. It was used in legal documents and court cases to introduce evidence or facts that were relevant to the case at hand. Over time, the idiom has evolved to become a common expression used in everyday language to introduce surprising or interesting information.

Synonyms in English

  • "That's true"
  • "It's true"
  • "Indeed"
  • "Certainly"
  • "Well, that's something I didn't know."

Synonyms in other languages

  • Spanish: "Por cierto", which translates to "For sure" or "Of course".
  • French: "En fait", which means "In fact" or "Actually".
  • German: "In Wahrheit", which means "In truth" or "Actually".
  • Italian: "In effetti", which means "In fact" or "Actually".
  • Japanese: "実際的に", which means "Actually" or "In reality".

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