heart of the matter
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At the heart of the matter are longstanding rules that cap the number of households one broadcaster can reach.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 19, 2026
And then — the heart of the matter — curate a vibe.
From Salon • Nov. 25, 2025
Here's what we know about their agreement to uphold a truce, Trump's role in sealing the deal and the conflict at the heart of the matter.
From Barron's • Oct. 26, 2025
The larger issue at the beating heart of the matter is that this is a very cumbersome method of seeking accountability.
From Slate • Oct. 9, 2025
His eyes narrowed: whether from our long association, or from many dealings with human beings, and whether one kept silent or spoke to cloak one’s thoughts, he always knew the heart of the matter.
From "Nectar in a Sieve" by Kamala Markandaya
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.