thing

Examples

• All

• What to do when things start going wrong?

  Vusi Thembekwayo

• The most important thing to remember is to stay calm during emergencies.

• There is such a thing as going too far.

• So what are the things that you do that help?

  Tom Bilyeu

• So what are the things that lead to bad times?

  Tom Bilyeu

• That left one last thing to do.

  Double Indemnity (1944)

• Name five things that you would expect to find in the military?

  Blood Hook (1987)

• When Frost begins to teach a family, the first thing she does is introduce a family schedule.

  Academic text (2013)

• Sometimes teachers get stuck doing the same thing over and over because they don't have other ideas.

  Academic text (2011)

• The next thing we need to do is prepare for the upcoming presentation.

Synonyms

I

incident

vsthing

∞ 2.7

An event that is unusual or draws attention

covers ordinary or possible actions, not only those that draw attention

E

event

vsthing

206 1.0

A possible situation that affects what people do

focuses on actual or possible actions rather than planned or imagined conditions

O

occurrence

vsthing

106 3.6

Something that happens, often an event or incident

includes possible or not yet happened actions as well as actual ones

H

happening

vsthing

23 3.4

An event that is unusual or important

includes ordinary or unremarkable actions as well as notable ones

Idioms

T

the thing is

• Informal

546 3.5

To say an important fact or reason when explaining something

H

here's the thing

• Informal

147 7.2

A phrase that introduces the most important point in a discussion

A

a thing or two

• Informal

75 3.7

Some useful knowledge or experience about a subject

E

every little thing

35 1.6

All small details of a person's life or a situation

A

a thing of the past

• Informal

27 3.8

Something that people do not use or think about anymore

T

the greatest thing since sliced bread

• Informal

1 6.9

A very useful new thing that people say is great

A

any old thing

• Informal

1 5.6

A thing of any kind, often not good or picked without care

C

chance'd be a fine thing

• UK

1 9.9

A phrase said to show something would be nice but is very unlikely to happen

L

last thing on one's mind

• Informal

6.0

Something a person is not thinking about or worrying about right now

N

next thing one knows

• Informal

8.2

Something happens suddenly before you notice

T

the last thing one needs

6.6

Something you do not want at an important or difficult time

Compounds

A

another thing

281 1.6

A phrase to add an extra point and mention a problem when speaking or writing

R

real thing

195 3.8

A thing that is not fake and is exactly as expected

L

living thing

70 1.0

A plant, animal, or small creature that grows and needs food and water

S

sure thing

53 2.4

Something that is certain to happen or succeed

N

nice thing

34 1.0

An attractive or valuable object that people enjoy owning

D

decent thing

11 3.2

An action most people see as the right and kind thing to do

F

fine thing

• Informal

10 7.2

Something very good or lucky that you doubt will happen

T

thing-in-itself

• Specialized

3 9.9

What something really is apart from how people see it

S

sweet young thing

• Offensive

3 8.2

An attractive young woman often talked about in a kind way or as less grown-up

N

near thing

• Informal

1 6.6

A situation when something bad almost happens but does not

D

dadburn thing

• Archaic

1 9.9

A mild word people use to show annoyance without swearing

C

cunty thing

• Offensive

9.9

A very rude remark or action that upsets people

How Significant

thing

• Informal

∞ 3.0

crisis

∞ 3.1

thing

∞ 1.0

event

∞ 1.0

incident

∞ 2.7

occurrence

106 3.6

happening

23 3.4

Surface Forms

Etymology