The root of the matter

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Meaning

The fundamental cause, essential issue or deepest part of a problem. Often overlaps with heart of the matter, though root more strongly suggests an underlying cause. Regional use: Early modern English Bible tradition; now international English.

Origin

Job 19:28 in the 1611 King James Bible contains 'the root of the matter'. Root had long served figuratively for an underlying cause or source, and the verse gave that metaphor a memorable fixed form. Modern speakers usually mean the core issue, without invoking Job's disputed responsibility for his suffering.

Research Sources

  1. Job 19:28, King James Version Bible Gateway
  2. The root of the matter Phrase Finder

Variants

  • Root of the matter
  • Get to the root of the matter
  • At the root of the matter

Usage Examples

  • The audit finally reached the root of the matter: nobody owned the approval step.
  • At the root of the matter was a disagreement about who counted as a resident.
  • We will not solve the delays until we get to the root of the matter.

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