🗣️ Introduces reason ☝️ Refers to one 🔗 Who or which 👉 Specific thing 📏 So much

that

∞ 1.0

A specific person or thing mentioned before

determiner
/ðæt/

: ese

Can you remind me of that book we discussed last week?
that time
that year
that day

So I had that type of work to do.

Autoplay Next

Examples

What did you make of that event last night?
Nowhere can we see the effects of that truth better than in East Asia.

Academic text (2011)
And we're going to go through that right now.
And I was at that turn of my life.
You do know you should be going to that appointment, right?

Unfavorable Odds (2022)
It's important to still spend that time with that person even if no words are exchanged.

Academic text (2011)
If you don't know where that is, let us know.
Can you just grab a bottle opener from that closet right there?

#No_Filter (2022)
You saw me looking in that magazine, didn't you?

The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976)
It's just I've never heard you use that word before, that's all.

Back to Black (2024)

Synonyms

this

vsthat

∞ 1.0

The situation, fact, or idea just mentioned

refers to a specific person, thing, or idea mentioned earlier or already known

Idioms

in that

∞ 3.7

Inside the thing or place just mentioned

something like that

793 2.0

A thing like the one just mentioned

true that

Informal

259 8.1

To say you agree with someone

that's that

Informal

255 5.1

A final decision that cannot be changed or discussed

for that matter

238 3.9

It is also true of something just mentioned

just like that

Informal

199 4.2

Happens suddenly without warning or effort

copy that

Informal

85 7.6

I have received and understand the message

Roger that

Informal

74 8.0

A short phrase people say to show they understand a message

that does it

Informal

74 8.0

You say you will not accept something any more

that is to say

59 3.5

To say something more clearly

to that end

Formal

41 4.0

To make that happen

to that effect

31 5.0

Having the same meaning as what was said

be that as it may

Formal

31 7.6

Even if that is true, it does not change what happens next

to that extent

14 3.9

As much as someone says or suggests

all that

Slang

11 8.9

Someone who thinks they are much better than others

said that shit

Offensive

10 9.9

A phrase people say to show strong surprise or that they do not believe what someone just said

to bite the hand that feeds

Informal

8 6.7

To harm someone who helps you

all's well that ends well

8 6.4

Words people say when a difficult situation ends well

gift that keeps on giving

Informal

8 4.0

Something that keeps bringing good things or joy over a long time

ain't that the truth

Informal

6 8.6

Shows strong agreement with something that is clearly true

suck on that

Offensive

5 9.9

A rude shout that tells someone you beat or proved them wrong

to that degree

4 3.9

It applies at the level already mentioned

words to that effect

3 7.2

To say the same thing using different words

all that jazz

Informal

3 7.9

Other similar things you could mention

to burn that bridge

Informal

3 7.7

To end a relationship or opportunity so you cannot use it again

don't touch that dial

Archaic

1 9.3

To tell viewers or listeners to keep watching and not change the channel during a break in the show

put that in your pipe and smoke it

Informal

1 9.9

Accept this fact even if you do not like it

to kill the goose that lays the golden eggs

1 8.2

To destroy a steady source of income by greedy short-term choices

to touch that dial

Archaic

1 9.1

Tell someone not to change the radio or television channel before a show returns

resemble that remark

Informal

1 9.9

A joking way to say a comment applies to you

that cheek

1 9.9

A strong feeling of surprise and anger at someone's rude, bold act

the cat that ate the canary

Informal

1 9.2

A person who looks very pleased because they have a secret success

dog that caught the car

Informal

1 9.9

A person who finally gets what they wanted but does not know what to do next

to cross that bridge when it comes

Informal

1 5.8

To deal with a problem only when it happens, not before

can't say fairer than that

9.9

An offer that is as fair as possible and cannot be better

to dance with the one that brought you

Informal

8.5

Stay loyal to people or groups that supported you

face that would stop a clock

Offensive

9.9

A face so ugly that it shocks people

feed me that bullplop

Offensive

9.9

To say lies or nonsense to trick someone

give me that pissface

Offensive

9.9

Make an angry, unhappy face to show you are annoyed

to grin like the cat that ate the canary

Informal

8.8

To smile in a proud, secret way because you feel pleased with yourself

the nail that sticks out gets hammered down

9.9

People criticize and pressure those who stand out to be like everyone else

the family that lays together stays together

9.9

Families stay close and strong by spending time together

the family that sleeps together keeps together

9.9

Families who sleep close together become closer

Compounds

that guy

Informal

∞ 7.9

A person, usually male, who behaves in an annoying or rude way

that time of the month

Informal

10 6.8

The time when a woman has her monthly period

tie that binds

7 5.3

A shared feeling or value that keeps people together

that bugger

Offensive

2 9.9

A person who is annoying or causes trouble

cup that cheers

6.8

A warm drink, like tea, that makes you feel better

kin of that character

Slang

9.9

A person who feels very close to a fictional character and sees themselves in that character

god that failed

9.9

A person who once had great power or fame but later does not succeed

that bih

NSFW

9.9

A very stylish thing or person that stands out

Surface Forms

that singular

Etymology

That as a determiner comes from the Old English þæt, a pointing word that meant 'that' or 'the', so that is used to point to a specific thing you and the listener know, like 'that pen'.