in point of fact

noun

1. a deed; act: now esp. in the sense of “a criminal deed” in the phrases and : an accessory after the fact
2. a thing that has actually happened or that is really true; thing that has been or is
3. the state of things as they are; reality; actuality; truth: fact as distinct from fancy
4. something said to have occurred or supposed to be true: to check the accuracy of one's facts
5. Law an actual or alleged incident or condition, as distinguished from its legal consequence