Dic: matter, its synonyms, and case

■ A matter is a task, situation, or event which you have to deal with or think about, especially one that involves problems. (= affair)

• It was clear that she wanted to discuss some private matter... 
• Until the matter is resolved the athletes will be ineligible to compete...
• Don't you think this is now a matter for the police?...
• Business matters drew him to Paris.

..... COBUILD

■ matter: A subject of concern, feeling, or action: matters of foreign policy; a personal matter.

■ Synonyms: subject, matter, topic, theme

These nouns denote the principal idea or point of a speech, a piece of writing, or an artistic work.

• Subject is the most general: "Well, honor is the subject of my story" (Shakespeare).
• Matter refers to the material that is the object of thought or discourse: "This distinction seems to me to go to the root of the matter" (William James).
• A topic is a subject of discussion, argument, or conversation: "They would talk of . . . fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste, Shakespeare" (Oliver Goldsmith).
• Theme refers especially to an idea, a point of view, or a perception that is developed and expanded on in a work of art: "To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme" (Herman Melville). 

..... The American Heritage

■ case:

1. A set of circumstances or a state of affairs; a situation: It may rain, in which case the hike will be canceled. 
2. Actual fact; reality: We suspected the walls were hollow, and this proved to be the case. 
3. A question or problem; a matter: It is simply a case of honor.

■ case:

1. a question or matter for discussion: the case before the committee
2. a specific condition or state of affairs; situation
3. a set of arguments supporting a particular action, cause, etc

...... The American Heritage, Collins