fact Idiom, Proverb

as a matter of fact

to state a fact, in fact, to be perfectly honest The burrowing owl is a protected species. As a matter of fact, it's an endangered species.

bring some new facts to light

discover some new facts, make some new facts known The lawyers were able to bring some new facts to light in the trial of the killer.

face facts

accept the truth, deal with reality, come to grips If we face facts, we can see that one salary is not enough.

facts of life

what one should know about sex, marriage and birth He seems to be a little too young to know about the facts of life.

in fact

actually, the truth is He

in point of fact

(See in fact)

matter of fact

something that is really true, something that can be proved As a matter of fact I saw him last night and he asked me how you were.

stick to (a story/the facts)

remain faithful to something Please stick to the facts when you tell the story to the police.

the facts of life

Idiom(s): the facts of life

Theme: REPRODUCTION

the facts of sex and reproduction, especially human reproduction.
• My parents told me the facts of life when I was nine years old.
• Bill learned the facts of life from his classmates.

matter-of-fact

Idiom(s): matter-of-fact

Theme: FRANKNESS

businesslike; unfeeling.
• Don't expect a lot of sympathy from Ann. She's very matter-of-fact.
• Don't be so matter-of-fact. It hurts my feelings.

get down to the facts

Idiom(s): get down to the facts

Theme: DETAILS

to begin to talk about things that matter; to get to the truth.
• The judge told the lawyer that the time had come to get down to the facts.
• Let's get down to the facts, Mrs. Brown. Where were you on the night of January 16?

after the fact

Idiom(s): after the fact

Theme: LATENESS

after something has happened; after something, especially a crime, has taken place. (Primarily a legal phrase.)
• John is always making excuses after the fact.
• Remember to lock your car whenever you leave it. If it's stolen, there is nothing you can do after the fact.

Facts speak louder than words.

People show what they are really like by what they do, rather than by what they say.

On the factory floor

On the factory floor means the place where things are actually produced.

X factor

The dangers for people in the military that civilians do not face, for which they receive payment, are known as the X factor.

as a matter of fact|fact|matter|matter of fact

adv. phr. Actually; really; in addition to what has been said; in reference to what was said.

Often used as an interjection. It's not true that I cannot swim; as a matter of fact, I used to work as a lifeguard in Hawaii. Do you think this costs too much? As a matter of fact, I think it is rather cheap.

facts of life|fact|facts|life

n. phr. 1. The truth which we should know about sex, marriage, and births. His father told him the facts of life when he was old enough. 2. The truths one learns about people and their good and bad habits of life, work or play. As a cub reporter he would learn the facts of life in the newspaper world.

in fact|fact|in point of fact|point|point of fact

adv. phr. Really truthfully.

Often used for emphasis. No one believed it but, in fact, Mary did get an A on her book report. It was a very hot day; in fact, it was 100 degrees.
Compare: MATTER OF FACT.

matter of fact|fact|matter

n. phr. Something that is really true; something that can be proved. The town records showed that it was a matter of fact that the two boys were brothers. It is a matter of fact that the American war against England was successful.

Often used for emphasis in the phrase "as a matter of fact". I didn't go yesterday, and as a matter of fact, f didn't go all week. Mary wasn't wearing a blue dress. As a matter of fact, she hasn't got a blue dress.
Compare: FOR THAT MATTER, IN FACT.
Antonym: MATTER OF OPINION.

matter-of-fact|fact|matter

adj. 1. Simply telling or showing the truth; not explaining or telling more. The newspaper gave a matter-of-fact account of the murder trial. 2. Showing little feeling or excitement or trouble; seeming not to care much. When Mary's father died she acted in a very matter-of-fact way. He was a very matter-of-fact person.

fact

fact
In addition to the idiom beginning with fact, also see after the fact; in fact; is that a fact?; matter of fact, a.

factor

factor
factor in (or into)
to include as a factor

factor in

factor in
Figure in, include as a basic element. For example, In preparing the schedule we factored in vacation and sick days. This term comes from mathematics. [Mid-1900s]

is that a fact?

is that a fact?
Also, is that so? Phrases indicating that one is following what another person is saying. These expressions, which require no reply, can be used either straightforwardly, as in You mean you've flown to Paris three times just this month? Is that a fact? or sarcastically, expressing disbelief or contempt, as in Just wait, I'll be promoted over you before the year is out.—Oh yeah, is that so? [Late 1800s]

matter of fact, a

matter of fact, a
Something that is literally or factually true, as in The records showed it to be a matter of fact that they were married in 1960. This idiom often occurs in the phrase as a matter of fact, as in As a matter of fact, you are absolutely right. Matter of fact was first recorded in 1581, and originally was a legal term distinguishing the facts of a case from the law, called matter of law, applying to it. It began to be applied to other concerns in the late 1600s.

satisfaction

satisfaction
give satisfaction
1) to satisfy
2) to accept a challenge to duel

sleaze factor

sleaze factor
The element in a political party, administration, or other organization that is corrupt, controversial, or tainted by scandal. For example, I can't see myself making a campaign contribution to them—there's too much of a sleaze factor. This slangy expression derives from the adjective sleazy, which means “vulgar” or “tawdry.” The idiom was first used in politics in the 1980s.