IDIOM OF THE DAY -THING
1 'All things considered'
[Taking everything into account]
All things considered, this book is a very fair historical survey of the country’s legal system over the last forty years.
2 'First things first'
[Things must be done in order of the most important first: sometimes used as a reminder of something obvious]
‘You must go and finish off your work, before you can go out to play. First things first!’ / ‘I’d like to build a new boat!’ ‘First things first; have you got the time and the money?’
3 'For one thing'
[Here’s a reason: used to introduce a reason or explanation]
‘Why can’t I get a motorbike?’ ‘For one thing, you’re too young, and for another, you’re not sensible enough yet.’
4 'It’s a good thing'
[It is fortunate]
‘It’s a good thing these walls are thick, or our neighbours might hear what we’re saying!’
5 '(Just) one of those things'
[Something that is liable to happen and cannot be avoided: used of unpleasant things]
‘Being made redundant is just one of those things these days, I suppose.’
6 'Just the thing!'
[That is exactly what we wanted]
‘Here’s a screwdriver!’ ‘Ah, just the thing!’
7 'Kind (or sort) of thing'
[Used to make something sound less certain or definite]
‘How long did it go on, kind of thing?’ / ‘It was a big car, sort of thing, a Cadillac, perhaps.’
8 'Old thing' *Old-fashioned
[A way of addressing someone in a friendly way]
‘I say, old thing, what a funny hat you’re wearing today!’
9 'Other (or all) things being equal'
[Used to describe a possible situation; if there are no special reasons to consider]
‘All things being equal, I prefer to travel by car.’
10 'Sure (thing)!'
[Yes; of course]
‘Can you come round tonight?’ ‘Sure thing! I’ll be with you at six!’
*This phrase is American in origin.
11 'The thing is ...'
[The real, most important, point, or idea is ...]
‘The thing is, I love him.’ / ‘He said they’d come, but his brother said they wouldn’t; the thing is, who am I to believe?’
12 'These things are sent to try us'
[Used as a response when several bad or unpleasant events happen to someone]
‘The lock on the front door got stuck, I heard Jim’s been made redundant, and Sue’s got to go into hospital—that was enough bad news for one day.’ ‘These things are sent to try us, I suppose.’
taken from the GLOBAL ELT ENGLISH IDIOMS DICTIONARY
1 'All things considered'
[Taking everything into account]
All things considered, this book is a very fair historical survey of the country’s legal system over the last forty years.
2 'First things first'
[Things must be done in order of the most important first: sometimes used as a reminder of something obvious]
‘You must go and finish off your work, before you can go out to play. First things first!’ / ‘I’d like to build a new boat!’ ‘First things first; have you got the time and the money?’
3 'For one thing'
[Here’s a reason: used to introduce a reason or explanation]
‘Why can’t I get a motorbike?’ ‘For one thing, you’re too young, and for another, you’re not sensible enough yet.’
4 'It’s a good thing'
[It is fortunate]
‘It’s a good thing these walls are thick, or our neighbours might hear what we’re saying!’
5 '(Just) one of those things'
[Something that is liable to happen and cannot be avoided: used of unpleasant things]
‘Being made redundant is just one of those things these days, I suppose.’
6 'Just the thing!'
[That is exactly what we wanted]
‘Here’s a screwdriver!’ ‘Ah, just the thing!’
7 'Kind (or sort) of thing'
[Used to make something sound less certain or definite]
‘How long did it go on, kind of thing?’ / ‘It was a big car, sort of thing, a Cadillac, perhaps.’
8 'Old thing' *Old-fashioned
[A way of addressing someone in a friendly way]
‘I say, old thing, what a funny hat you’re wearing today!’
9 'Other (or all) things being equal'
[Used to describe a possible situation; if there are no special reasons to consider]
‘All things being equal, I prefer to travel by car.’
10 'Sure (thing)!'
[Yes; of course]
‘Can you come round tonight?’ ‘Sure thing! I’ll be with you at six!’
*This phrase is American in origin.
11 'The thing is ...'
[The real, most important, point, or idea is ...]
‘The thing is, I love him.’ / ‘He said they’d come, but his brother said they wouldn’t; the thing is, who am I to believe?’
12 'These things are sent to try us'
[Used as a response when several bad or unpleasant events happen to someone]
‘The lock on the front door got stuck, I heard Jim’s been made redundant, and Sue’s got to go into hospital—that was enough bad news for one day.’ ‘These things are sent to try us, I suppose.’
taken from the GLOBAL ELT ENGLISH IDIOMS DICTIONARY
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