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thing `noun` [ θɪŋ ]

• an object that one need not, cannot, or does not wish to give a specific name to.

• "look at that metal rail thing over there"

Similar: object, article, item, artefact, commodity, device, gadget, contrivance, instrument, utensil, tool, implement, entity, body, whatsit, what-d'you-call-it, what's-its-name, what's-it, whatchamacallit, thingummy, thingy, thingamabob, thingamajig, oojamaflip, oojah, gizmo, doodah, doobry, gubbins, doodad, doohickey, doojigger, dingus, thingo,

• an inanimate material object as distinct from a living sentient being.

• "I'm not a thing, not a work of art to be cherished"

• an action, event, thought, or utterance.

• "she said the first thing that came into her head"

Similar: activity, act, action, deed, undertaking, exploit, feat, task, job, chore, piece of business, thought, notion, idea, concept, conception, concern, matter, worry, preoccupation, remark, statement, comment, utterance, observation, declaration, pronouncement, incident, episode, event, happening, occurrence, eventuality, phenomenon,

• what is needed or required.

• "you need a tonic—and here's just the thing"

• one's special interest or inclination.

• "reading isn't my thing"

Similar: what one likes, what interests one, one's cup of tea, one's bag, what turns one on, what floats one's boat,

• used to introduce or emphasize an important point.

• "the thing is, I am going to sell this house"

Similar: fact of the matter, fact, point, issue, problem,

Origin: Old English, of Germanic origin; related to German Ding . Early senses included ‘meeting’ and ‘matter, concern’ as well as ‘inanimate object’.

be all things to all people

• please everyone, typically by fitting in with their needs or expectations.
"a politician running scared of the electorate and trying to be all things to all people"

be on to a good thing

• have found a job or other situation that is pleasant, profitable, or easy.
"many directors who take dividends in lieu of salary think they are on to a good thing"

be hearing things

• imagine that one can hear something that is not in fact there.
"I asked her to repeat herself to make sure I wasn't hearing things"

be seeing things

• imagine that one can see something that is not in fact there.
"the first time I spotted a puffin I thought I was seeing things"

a close thing

• a narrow avoidance of something unpleasant.
"we got him out, but it was a close thing"

do one's own thing

• follow one's own interests or inclinations regardless of others.
"they don't seem to be a couple, they just seem to be two people who do their own thing"

do the — thing

• engage in the kind of behaviour typically associated with someone or something.
"a film in which he does the bad-guy thing"

do things to

• have a powerful emotional effect on.
"it just does things to me when we kiss"

for one thing

• used to introduce one of two or more possible reasons for something, the remainder of which may or may not be stated.
"Why hadn't he arranged to see her at the house? For one thing, it would have been warmer"

have a thing about

• have a strong liking for or dislike of.
"she had a thing about men who wore glasses"

have a thing for

• have a strong liking for.
"I think he has a bit of a thing for you"

— is one thing, — is another

• used to indicate that the second item mentioned is much more important than the first, and cannot be compared to it.
"physical attraction was one thing, love was quite another"

make a big thing of

• make (something) seem more important than it actually is.
"Meadows made a big thing of paying the bill"

of all things

• out of all conceivable possibilities (used to express surprise).
"What had he been thinking about? A kitten, of all things!"

just one of those things

• used to indicate that one wishes to pass over an unfortunate event or experience by regarding it as unavoidable or to be accepted.
"I didn't manage to go on the tour of Australia, but that was just one of those things"

one thing after another

• a series of problems or difficulties.
"it's one thing after another with this kid"

one thing leads to another

• used to suggest that the exact sequence of events is too obvious to need recounting.
"he offered me a lift home one night and one thing led to another"

there is only one thing for it

• there is only one possible course of action.
"there was only one thing for it—she would have to open the parcel"

there's a thing

• used as an expression of surprise.

a thing of the past

• a thing that no longer happens or exists.
"house-price booms were seen as a thing of the past"

a thing or two

• used to refer to useful information that can be imparted or learned.
"Teddy taught me a thing or two about wine"

things that go bump in the night

• unexplained and frightening noises at night, regarded as being caused by ghosts.
"the fear of long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night"