Definition of -thing in English English dictionary
- Bad Thing
- An action that yields undesirable results to its subject
- Good Thing
- Something that is conventionally accepted as good beyond doubt
- Thing
- A public assembly or council in a Scandinavian country
Before Thorstein left home, he and Asgerd decided to take Arinbjorn's gift, the silk cloak, out of Egil's chest, and Thorstein wore it to the Thing.
- a thing or two
- A considerable amount; a lot
He's a good mechanic, and surely knows a thing or two about car engines.
- any old thing
- anything at all
- best thing since sliced bread
- Alternative form of greatest thing since sliced bread
- chance would be a fine thing
- Alternative form of chance'd be a fine thing
- chance'd be a fine thing
- Given to indicate that an aforementioned thing would be desirable but unlikely. Comparable to if I should be so lucky
Me winning the lotto? Chance'd be a fine thing.
- dangly thing
- The uvula
Michelle's mouth was open wide. I could see the dangly thing hanging in the back.
- do one's thing
- To do what one habitually does
- first thing
- The basic idea of how to do something
I would help you, but I don't know the first thing about gardening.
- first thing
- Early in the morning
I'll meet you first thing at the station.
- for another thing
- Used to introduce an additional item in a possible sequence
- for one thing
- Used to introduce the first item in a possible sequence
- greatest thing since sliced bread
- A relatively recent invention likely to significantly improve people's lives
Inventors all come in claiming their creation is the greatest thing since sliced bread, but most patents never make money.
- have another thing coming
- Alternative form of have another think coming
- if you want a thing done well, do it yourself
- It is better to do something oneself, than rely on others to do it well
- one thing led to another
- From one event, a series of non-important steps resulted in another event
- sure thing
- A reply to thank you
Thanks a lot for your help. / Sure thing!.
- sure thing
- An affirmative reply; yes; certainly
Can you finish by tomorrow? / Sure thing!.
- sure thing
- That which is certain
- sweet young thing
- An attractive young woman
I just know he's off spending the night with some sweet young thing he picked up in a bar.
- sweet young thing
- A sweet young woman
- the thing
- Something suitable for a purpose
I need a present for my friend, and I think this is just the thing.
- the thing is
- Used to introduce the main point or issue
I'd like to come, but the thing is, I just can't afford it.
- the thing of it
- The important point to consider
But the thing of it is , everybody was rooting for the other individual and I was the only one rooting for him.
- there's no such thing as a free lunch
- Nothing is free; everything has a price
- thing
- A penis
- thing
- A living being or creature
you poor thing.
- thing
- whatever can be owned
- thing
- That which matters; the crux
The thing is, I don't have any money.
- thing
- An individual object or distinct entity
- thing
- That which is considered to exist as a separate entity, object, quality or concept
- thing
- A word, symbol, sign or other referent that can be used to refer to any entity
- thing
- the latest fad or fashion
- thing
- A unit
Get me a thing of apple juice at the store.
- thing
- In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly
- thing
- A problem, dilemma, or complicating factor
The car looks cheap, but the thing is, I have doubts about its safety.
- thing
- clothes, possessions or equipment
- thing-in-itself
- In the philosophy of Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) and those whom he influenced, a thing as it is independent of any conceptualization or perception by the human mind, postulated by practical reason but existing in a condition which is in principle unknowable and unexperienceable
- too much of a good thing
- Something enjoyable or beneficial which, nevertheless, becomes bothersome or harmful in large quantities or over an extended period of time
Household chemicals are about as personal as modern science gets. We are surrounded by hundreds of them every day — they're in our furnishings, our cosmetics, our vinyl floor tiles and plastic baby bottles. . . . Are they too much of a good thing?.
- vision thing
- a political view that encompasses the longer term as distinct from short-term objectives
- the right thing to do
- the right act which must be performed
- thing
- " a special abstraction; "a thing of the spirit"; "things of the heart" a special objective; "the thing is to stay in bounds" a statement regarded as an object; "to say the same thing in other terms"; "how can you say such a thing?" an event; "a funny thing happened on the way to the
- thing
- {n} whatever is, any kind of matter
- Here's the thing
- (deyim) The statement said either during or immediately following someones attempt to make an extremely valid point that makes the person stop talking and listen to your potentially much less important and usually unrelated opinion
- There's no such thing as a free lunch
- (Atasözü) Said to emphasize that you cannot get something for nothing
"I get to travel with my job but the downside is I have to give talks." "Well, there's no such thing as a free lunch.".
- for one thing
- As one or an additional point to be noted
- the thing is
- This is what must be considered
The thing is, my car is being repaired, so how can I get groceries for the weekend?.
- thing
- While the althing (see above) was the closest organization the Icelandic Vikings had to America's federal government/court system/police, the thing was the closest approximation the Icelandic Vikings had to local government/court systems/police The thing was a gathering of representatives from the local area to vote on policy, hear complaints, settle disputes, and proclaim incorrigible individuals as outlaws (see above)
- thing
- A portion or part; something
- thing
- If you say that a person knows a thing or two about something or could teach someone a thing or two about it, you mean that they know a lot about it or are good at it. Patricia Hewitt knows a thing or two about how to be well-organised The peace movement has learnt a thing or two from Vietnam
- thing
- Clothes; furniture; appurtenances; luggage; as, to pack or store one's things
- thing
- A thing is a physical object that is considered as having no life of its own. It's not a thing, Beauchamp. It's a human being!
- thing
- vagueness You can use thing to refer in a vague way to a situation, activity, or idea, especially when you want to suggest that it is not very important. I'm a bit unsettled tonight. This war thing's upsetting me
- thing
- an event; "a funny thing happened on the way to the "
- thing
- any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence; "the thing I like about her is
- thing
- other things being equal: see equal first things first: see first the real thing: see real the shape of things to come: see shape
- thing
- See Legislature, Norway
- thing
- Whatever may be possessed or owned; a property; distinguished from person
- thing
- a special objective; "the thing is to stay in bounds"
- thing
- emphasis You can say that the first of two ideas, actions, or situations is one thing when you want to contrast it with a second idea, action, or situation and emphasize that the second one is much more difficult, important, or extreme. It was one thing to talk about leaving; it was another to physically walk out the door
- thing
- If you say that something is the done thing, you mean it is the most socially acceptable way to behave. It was not the done thing. In those days the man was supposed to be the provider
- thing
- Thing is used in lists and descriptions to give examples or to increase the range of what you are referring to. These are genetic disorders that only affect males normally. They are things like muscular dystrophy and haemophilia The Earth is made mainly of iron and silicon and things like that
- thing
- an action; "how could you do such a thing?"
- thing
- any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence; "the thing I like about her is "
- thing
- an entity that is not named specifically; "I couldn't tell what the thing was"
- thing
- You say it is a good thing to do something to introduce a piece of advice or a comment on a situation or activity. Can you tell me whether it is a good thing to prune an apple tree?
- thing
- If you make a thing of something or make a thing about it, you talk about it or do it in an exaggerated way, so that it seems much more important than it really is. Gossips made a big thing about him going on shopping trips with her
- thing
- a special situation; "this thing has got to end"; "it is a remarkable thing"
- thing
- " a persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion; "he has a thing about seafood"; "she has a thing about him" a special situation; "this thing has got to end"; "it is a remarkable thing
- thing
- If something is a thing of the past, it no longer exists or happens, or is being replaced by something new. Painful typhoid injections are a thing of the past, thanks to the introduction of an oral vaccine
- thing
- often a lazy word Expand your vocabulary In the following sentence, explanation would be better: "He often wondered why he had no visitors, and the only thing he could think of was his pet python "
- thing
- a separate and self-contained entity
- thing
- a vaguely specified concern; "several matters to attend to"; "it is none of your affair"; "things are going well"
- thing
- You say one thing led to another when you are explaining how something happened, but you do not really want to give the details or you think people will be able to imagine the details. He came by on Saturday to see if she was lonely. One thing led to another and he stayed the night
- thing
- emphasis If you say that something is just the thing or is the very thing, you are emphasizing that it is exactly what is wanted or needed. Kiwi fruit are just the thing for a healthy snack
- thing
- Thing is often used to refer back to something that has just been mentioned, either to emphasize it or to give more information about it. I never wanted to be normal. It was not a thing I ever thought desirable
- thing
- If you have a thing about someone or something, you have very strong feelings about them. I had always had a thing about red hair He's got this thing about ties
- thing
- In Scandinavian countries, a legislative or judicial assembly; used, esp
- thing
- If you do something first thing, you do it at the beginning of the day, before you do anything else. If you do it last thing, you do it at the end of the day, before you go to bed or go to sleep. I'll go see her, first thing I always do it last thing on a Saturday
- thing
- a separate and self-contained entity an action; "how could you do such a thing?" an artifact; "how does this thing work?" an entity that is not named specifically; "I couldn't tell what the thing was" any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence; "the thing I like about her is
- thing
- If you say it is just one of those things you mean that you cannot explain something because it seems to happen by chance. `I wonder why.' Mr. Dambar shrugged. `It must be just one of those things, I guess.'
- thing
- You say the thing is to introduce an explanation, comment, or opinion, that relates to something that has just been said. The thing is is often used to identify a problem relating to what has just been said. `What does your market research consist of?' --- `Well, the thing is, it depends on our target age group.'
- thing
- A diminutive or slighted object; any object viewed as merely existing; often used in pity or contempt
- thing
- disapproval Thing is used to refer to something, especially a physical object, when you want to express contempt or anger towards it. Turn that thing off!
- thing
- a separate and self-contained entity an action; "how could you do such a thing?"
- thing
- in composition, in titles of such bodies
- thing
- emphasis Thing is used in expressions such as such a thing or things like that, especially in negative statements, in order to emphasize the bad or difficult situation you are referring back to. I don't believe he would tell Leo such a thing
- thing
- a statement regarded as an object; "to say the same thing in other terms"; "how can you say such a thing?"
- thing
- a persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion; "he has a thing about seafood"; "she has a thing about him"
- thing
- If, for example, you do the right thing or do the decent thing in a situation, you do something which is considered correct or socially acceptable in that situation. People want to do the right thing and buy `green' Carrington did the honourable thing and resigned
- thing
- An inanimate object, in distinction from a living being; any lifeless material
- thing
- an event; "a funny thing happened on the way to the
- thing
- You can call a person or an animal a particular thing when you want to mention a particular quality that they have and express your feelings towards them, usually affectionate feelings. You really are quite a clever little thing
- thing
- If you say that someone is seeing or hearing things, you mean that they believe they are seeing or hearing something that is not really there. Dr Payne led Lana back into the examination room and told her she was seeing things
- thing
- Thing is often used after an adjective, where it would also be possible just to use the adjective. For example, you can say it's a different thing instead of it's different. To be a parent is a terribly difficult thing
- thing
- A transaction or occurrence; an event; a deed
- thing
- emphasis You can say there is no such thing as something to emphasize that it does not exist or is not possible. There really is no such thing as a totally risk-free industry
- thing
- emphasis Thing is often used instead of the pronouns `anything,' or `everything' in order to emphasize what you are saying. It isn't going to solve a single thing Don't you worry about a thing
- thing
- You often use thing to indicate to the person you are addressing that you are about to mention something important, or something that you particularly want them to know. One thing I am sure of was that she was scared The funny thing is that the rest of us have known that for years
- thing
- Whatever exists, or is conceived to exist, as a separate entity, whether animate or inanimate; any separable or distinguishable object of thought
- thing
- The nouns of Java, including Things of primitive type and objects See the chapter on Things, Types, and Names
- thing
- {i} object, article; fact; matter; fabrication; idea
- thing
- You can use thing to refer to any object, feature, or event when you cannot, need not, or do not want to refer to it more precisely. `What's that thing in the middle of the fountain?' --- `Some kind of statue, I guess.' She was in the middle of clearing the breakfast things If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? A strange thing happened
- thing
- If you do your own thing, you live, act, or behave in the way you want to, without paying attention to convention or depending on other people. We accept the right of all men and women to do their own thing, however bizarre
- thing
- a special abstraction; "a thing of the spirit"; "things of the heart"
- thing
- If you say that something is the thing, you mean that it is fashionable or popular. I feel under pressure to go out and get drunk because it's the thing to do
- thing
- an artifact; "how does this thing work?"
- thing
- a special situation; "this thing has got to end"; "it is a remarkable thing
- thing
- You can use the expression `one thing and another' to suggest that there are several reasons for something or several items on a list, but you are not going to explain or mention them all. What with one thing and another, it was fairly late in the day when we returned to Shrewsbury
- thing
- You can say for one thing when you are explaining a statement or answering a question, to suggest that you are not giving the whole explanation or answer, and that there are other points that you could add to it. She was a monster. For one thing, she really enjoyed cruelty
- thing
- Things can refer to the situation or life in general and the way it is changing or affecting you. Everyone agrees things are getting better
- thing
- Your things are your clothes or possessions. Sara told him to take all his things and not to return
- thing
- ting
- thing
- thang