as a matter of fact

as a matter of fact

1. (modal) Actually, in fact.
   • 1907, Robert William Chambers, chapter V, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, OCLC 24962326:

     The house of Ruthven was a small but ultra-modern limestone affair, between Madison and Fifth; a pocket-edition of the larger mansions of their friends, but with less excuse for the overelaboration since the dimensions were only twenty by a hundred. As a matter of fact its narrow ornate façade presented not a single quiet space the eyes might rest on […]."

   • 1992 May 3, "Comrade Bingo" Jeeves and Wooster, Series 3, Episode 6:

     R. Jeeves: An interesting theory, sir. Would you care to expatiate upon it?
     B.W. Wooster: As a matter of fact, no, Jeeves. The thought just occurred to me, as thoughts do.
     R. Jeeves: Very good, sir.

• in reality, really, truthfully, truth to tell; see also Thesaurus:actually