English Profile

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:

Hi Fatma, Congratulations of your wedding, it's a really nice thing in your life. (Skills for Life (Entry 2); A2; Hungarian)

thing (FACT)

A2 C a fact or characteristic of someone or something

Dictionary examples:

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

He told me a few things about the army.

Your information is correct but you left out one thing.

Learner example:

For example, I can do photos, I can hear the music, I can play with it, but the mo[st] important thing is that I can call my parents when I'm not near them. (Key English Test; A2; Italian)

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:

It is not the same thing as London but the people are [very] friendly. (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

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 example:

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

Learner example:

When you're with your friends, you usually go to roller coasters and things like that. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

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:

Dear Mrs Jones, When meeting a friend of mine a couple of days ago we discussed, among other things, our spare time activities. (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)

the next best thing

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

Dictionary example:

Coaching baseball 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 M[cD]onalds' or Burger King. (International English Language Testing System; C1; Yapese)

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)

a sure thing

C1 something that is certain to happen

Dictionary example:

Your promotion is a sure thing – you’re the best person for the job.

Learner example:

Although I never knew at which time [it] would be, the only sure thing I had in mind was the need to come back home, into your arms! (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Portuguese)

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 traveling, 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 wont fit 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 bike came speeding around 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)