Language Research

thing · noun

/θɪŋ/Full view

thing (OBJECT)

A1 C used to refer to something without saying its name

Dictionary examples:

I need to get a few things in town.

How do I switch this thing off?

I don't eat sweet things.

I saw a few things I'd like to get.

Learner example:

Please tell me before [you come] what things you like to eat. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Urdu)

things

A1 your possessions or a set of objects

Dictionary examples:

I'll just get my things together and we can go.

All their things were destroyed in the fire.

Bring your swimming things if the weather's nice.

Learner example:

I like this place because the people are happy to work for example [on] a farm and they don't need a lot of things [to] be happy. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

thing (ACTIVITY)

A2 C used to refer to an activity or event

Dictionary examples:

Meeting Nina was the best thing that's ever happened to me.

I've got so many things to do I don't know where to start.

The thing I like best is the dancing.

Learner example:

My favo[u]rite thing is reading books! (Key English Test; A2; Chinese)

thing (FACT)

A2 C a fact or characteristic of someone or something

Dictionary examples:

The thing I like about Carol is her sense of humour.

He told me a few things about the army.

Your information is correct but you left out one thing.

Learner example:

Yes, I bought a mobile phone. The thing that I like [about] it is that it is very useful and it has got lots of cool [new] things. (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

a thing

B1 used instead of 'anything' in order to emphasize what you are saying

Dictionary examples:

I haven't got a thing to wear.

Don't worry about a thing. I'll take care of it.

Learner example:

We tried to fish, but didn't catch a thing, not even a shoe! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

the same thing

B1 the same

Dictionary example:

Training isn't the same thing as education.

Learner example:

I had lost my favourite watch. Now I have another watch but it isn't the same thing. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

things

B1 what is happening, especially in your life

Dictionary examples:

How are things with you?

Things have been going very well recently.

Learner example:

How are things in your part of the world? Things are fine with me. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Greek)

things like that

B1 similar objects, activities or events

Dictionary examples:

We eat a lot of Italian food - pizza, pasta, things like that.

I do a lot of football and running and things like that.

thing (IDEA)

B2 C used to refer to an idea or comment

Dictionary example:

I can't believe he would say such a thing!

Learner example:

I got mad and said "How dare you say such a thing." (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

the whole thing

B2 everything about a situation

Dictionary examples:

I just want to forget the whole thing.

The whole thing is ridiculous!

Learner example:

And, less than five minutes later, our mother knew the whole thing. (First Certificate in English; B2; French)

among other things

B2 used to say that there are other details or examples in addition to the ones you are mentioning

Dictionary example:

It's worth visiting the museum while you're here. There's an exhibition about Darwin and a good collection of paintings, among other things.

Learner example:

To go by tram or bus is a waste of time and travelling by car is - among other things - a waste of money. (First Certificate in English; B2; Swedish)

no such thing

B2 used to emphasize that something does not exist

Dictionary example:

There's no such thing as ghosts!

Learner example:

But when I asked for these, I was told that no such thing existed and so the advertisement was once again proved wrong. (First Certificate in English; B2; Danish)

the thing is...

B2 used to introduce an answer, comment or explanation

Dictionary examples:

I'd love to go out tonight, but the thing is, I've got to finish my report.

The funny/strange thing is that we'd actually met before.

Learner example:

The thing is that on July 23rd I had not found any outfit that suited me yet, which made me feel desperate. (First Certificate in English; B2; Catalan)

it's a good thing

B2 If it's a good thing that something happened, it is lucky or fortunate that it happened.

Dictionary example:

It's a good thing (that) we booked our tickets early.

Learner example:

I think it's a good thing that your parents [are going to] come, because [...] maybe it would make it easier for you to convince them to let you spend a week here during Xmas. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

not a single thing

B2 not anything

Dictionary example:

After the guests had gone, there wasn't a single thing left to eat.

Learner example:

I'm terribly sorry, but I hit it with my hand while trying to turn on the light: I wasn't able to see a single thing because it was pitch-dark all around. (First Certificate in English; B2; Italian)

the main thing

B2 the most important fact in a situation

Dictionary example:

You're happy and that's the main thing.

Learner example:

The main thing is to be happy and to love yourself. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

thing (PERSON/ANIMAL)

B2 C used to refer to a person or animal when you are expressing your feelings towards them

Dictionary examples:

You look tired, you poor thing.

He's spending three months in Barbados, lucky thing!

Learner example:

When I go to the zoo I like to see them close by me, [and] look at them carefully; but at the same time I say: "Poor thing, I wouldn't like to be one of them." (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

all things considered

C1 used for saying that something is true in general if you think about all its aspects

Dictionary example:

The show was a great success, all things considered.

Learner example:

All things considered, it seems like "Kavanagh Catering Services" would be most suitable for the students. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Turkish)

the next best thing

C1 the thing that is best, if you cannot have or do the thing you really want

Dictionary example:

Coaching football is the next best thing to playing.

Learner example:

For many working people, there is hardly time to cook and prepare your dinner, so the next best thing is to rush into a Macdonalds' or Burger King. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Yapese)

a sure thing

C1 something that is certain to happen

Dictionary example:

Death is the one sure thing about life.

Learner example:

There is only one sure thing, we are not able to even imagine what we will be able to do in the future to get communicated. (Skills for Life (Level 2); C1; Spanish)

do your own thing

C2 to live, act or behave in the way you want to, without depending on other people

Dictionary example:

While he was away travelling, he pretty much did his own thing.

Learner example:

Their attitude only stimulated me to do "my own thing". (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Dutch)

for one thing

C2 used to give a reason for something

Dictionary example:

You can't give Amy that shirt - for one thing it's too small for her.

Learner example:

Well, for one thing, you cannot spy on your subjects 24 hours a day - they would not allow it, and it would be prohibitively expensive. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Swedish)

the next thing I knew

C2 used to talk about part of a story that happens in a sudden and surprising way

Dictionary example:

A car came speeding round the corner, and the next thing I knew I was lying on the ground.

Learner example:

And the next thing I knew was that I was playing cards with 3 men. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Greek)