# matter at hand

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/matter-at-hand
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The current issue, which requires immediate attention.

## Examples

- Please focus on the matter at hand.
- We have many projects, but let us focus on the matter at hand before starting anything new.
- Although the committee members frequently digressed into unrelated historical anecdotes, the chairperson repeatedly steered the discussion back to the urgent matter at hand.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.