fine thing
1
7.2
- noun
- Informal
:
cosa buena
- It would be a fine thing if you could.
And that's such a a fine thing to be able to do.
- And that's such a a fine thing to be able to do.
Examples
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The chance would be a fine thing.
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That would be a fine thing to do, Little Joe.
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Well, now, this is a fine thing.
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That is a fine thing.
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Truth and reconciliation between all sides would be a fine thing.
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It's a fine thing, loyal to your mate, even if he is a bit barmy.
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Looks like you've done a fine thing, Barley.
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That's a fine thing.
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He told her that it was a fine thing, this opening of her life to the glories of music; she would be enriched forever.
Fiction book (1997) -
Getting a raise would be a fine thing, but I doubt my boss will agree.
Synonyms
A phrase said to show something would be nice but is very unlikely to happen
Antonyms
How Fortunate
Surface Forms
Morphology
The basic sense — an excellent or desirable event — follows directly from combining 'fine' (excellent) with 'thing' (an event or occurrence), so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer the general meaning. However, the phrase often carries pragmatic or ironic nuances (e.g., expressing doubt or sarcasm) and specific collocational use that are not fully predictable from the parts, so it is not fully transparent.
Etymology
Fine thing comes from using fine to mean 'very good' or 'high quality', so a fine thing was a prize or treat you would want. That's why people call something 'a fine thing' when they mean it would be something they really want, or sometimes say it as a joke to show they don't think it will happen.