things
/θɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [θˈɪŋz] /θɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [θˈɪŋz] /ˈthiŋ How to pronounce thing (audio)/ (ame, mw)
things — noun
1. a word for an object when you do not know its name, cannot remember it, or do no
a word for an object when you do not know its name, cannot remember it, or do not want to say it exactly
Pass me the small blue thing beside the toaster, please.
that thing + location for an unnamed object
What is that metal thing hanging under the bicycle seat?
A round plastic thing fell out of the toolbox this morning.
I need the thing that opens paint cans in the garage.
文法句型
that thing
the thing that + clause
用法筆記
Usually points to a physical object. For a topic, plan, or problem, use sense 4 instead.
2. the items a person owns, carries, or uses for a particular activity
the items a person owns, carries, or uses for a particular activity
Gather your things before the taxi gets here.
possessive + things for belongings
Her wet things were hanging over the bathroom rail.
The nurse put his things in a clear plastic bag.
Bring your swimming things if the hotel pool is open.
- belongings
more formal; the usual word in notices or travel situations
文法句型
your things
swimming things
用法筆記
Common with your, my, his, and other possessives. It can mean all your belongings or the items for one activity, such as swimming things or school things.
3. the cups, tools, or other items that belong together for one purpose or event
the cups, tools, or other items that belong together for one purpose or event
I washed the tea things after everyone left the table.
noun + things for a set used together
Maeve packed the sewing things into one wooden box.
The camping things stayed in the shed all winter.
Please move the art things so the children can eat.
文法句型
tea things
art things
用法筆記
This sense refers to a grouped set of items, often named by a modifier before things, such as tea things, sewing things, or baking things.
4. a broad word for a matter, plan, event, or problem when you are speaking loosely
a broad word for a matter, plan, event, or problem when you are speaking loosely rather than naming it exactly
We should talk about the budget thing before lunch.
topic noun + thing for a loosely named matter
The visa thing kept Mateo awake for half the night.
I handled the printer thing while you met the clients.
Noa knows the family thing that everyone avoids mentioning.
文法句型
the budget thing
the family thing
用法筆記
Use this for a topic, problem, or event, not for a physical object. Compare sense 1 when you are pointing to a real object.
5. the particular item, fact, or point that fits exactly what is needed or meant
the particular item, fact, or point that fits exactly what is needed or meant
This tiny screw is the thing we lost yesterday.
the thing for the exact missing item
Cold soup was exactly the thing I needed after work.
Her map was the very thing that solved our problem.
Quiet music was the thing that calmed the baby.
文法句型
the thing
exactly the thing
用法筆記
Often appears with the, the very, or exactly the. It points to the precise answer, item, or detail that fits the need.
6. the genuine version of something, not a fake copy or practice version
the genuine version of something, not a fake copy or practice version
The market sells copies, but this watch is the real thing.
fixed phrase: the real thing
The training drill felt different when the flood became the real thing.
That bag looks similar, but the leather one is the real thing.
We practised with paper passports before handling the real thing.
- the genuine article
more formal and often used for authenticity
- fake
something made to look real but not genuine
文法句型
the real thing
用法筆記
A fixed phrase. It can describe an authentic object or the actual event after practice, warning, or imitation.
7. exactly the same in meaning or effect, not a different kind of case
exactly the same in meaning or effect, not a different kind of case
Saving money is not the same thing as earning more.
fixed phrase: the same thing as
Being quiet is not the same thing as agreeing.
A fever is not the same thing as the flu.
Online friendship is not the same thing as daily support.
文法句型
the same thing as
用法筆記
Common in contrasts with as. Use it when two ideas may seem related but should not be treated as equal.
8. the entire matter, including all the plans, discussion, or unpleasant details ar
the entire matter, including all the plans, discussion, or unpleasant details around it
After the argument, they decided to cancel the whole thing.
fixed phrase: the whole thing
I want to forget the whole thing and start again tomorrow.
The storm ruined the stage, so the whole thing ended early.
We laughed about the whole thing once the guests had gone.
文法句型
the whole thing
用法筆記
Often follows verbs like cancel, forget, explain, or laugh about. It refers to the matter as one complete unit.
9. more than any other goal, value, or desire
more than any other goal, value, or desire
Above all things, Talia values honesty in her closest friends.
fixed phrase: above all things
He wanted peace above all things after the long trial.
Above all things, the coach wanted the team to trust each other.
She protected her daughter's safety above all things.
文法句型
above all things
用法筆記
This is a formal or strongly emphatic phrase. It ranks one value higher than every other consideration.
10. in every area or situation, without exception
in every area or situation, without exception
In all things, Walid tried to act with patience.
fixed phrase: in all things
The judge asked both sides to be fair in all things.
In all things, the school follows the same safety rules.
She stayed calm in all things, even during the blackout.
文法句型
in all things
用法筆記
A formal phrase meaning 'in every respect'. It is broader than a single action and refers to conduct across situations.
11. used to introduce the single point you most want to know, find out, or ask about
used to introduce the single point you most want to know, find out, or ask about
If there's one thing I want to know, it's who unlocked the lab.
fixed opener for the main question
If there's one thing we must find out, it's why the bridge shook.
If there's one thing Talia needs to hear, it's that the test is over.
If there's one thing I want to ask, it's when the train returns.
文法句型
if there's one thing I want to know
用法筆記
This set phrase lets the speaker point to the most important question before stating it directly.
12. the situation in general, especially how life or work is going at a particular t
the situation in general, especially how life or work is going at a particular time
Things have been calmer since the children returned to school.
things for the general situation
Things are difficult at the shop, but we are still open.
Things looked better after the doctor changed my medicine.
I hope things improve before the rent is due again.
- situation
more formal and explicit
文法句型
things are
things have been
用法筆記
Use this plural sense for the general state of life, work, health, or events. Compare sense 14 when you are judging what is possible right now.
13. used to say that an event was fortunate and prevented a worse result
used to say that an event was fortunate and prevented a worse result
It's a good thing we brought cash because the card machine failed.
fixed clause for lucky timing
It's a good thing Aoi called early, or we would have missed the bus.
It was a good thing the nurse checked the bottle twice.
It's a good thing the dog barked before the fire spread.
文法句型
it's a good thing (that)
用法筆記
The phrase comments on a lucky fact after or before the result is stated. It often implies that a worse outcome was very near.
14. judging by the present situation as it is now
judging by the present situation as it is now
As things are, we cannot hire anyone before July.
as things are for the current situation
The way things are, dinner will be late tonight.
As things stand, the village still has only one doctor.
The way things are, I need to finish this alone.
文法句型
as things are
the way things are
as things stand
用法筆記
Unlike sense 12, this phrase is evaluative: it uses the present situation to judge what is possible, likely, or necessary now.
15. used instead of 'anything' to add emphasis, especially in negatives and similar
used instead of 'anything' to add emphasis, especially in negatives and similar statements
Do not worry about a thing while I lock up.
a thing for emphatic anything
I could not see a thing through the steamed bus window.
She did not say a thing during the entire meeting.
Kai did not feel a thing when the dentist numbed his gum.
- anything
neutral; the base form without extra emphasis
文法句型
a thing
not ... a thing
用法筆記
Most common in negatives, with verbs of seeing, feeling, saying, or worrying. It adds force compared with plain anything.
16. not anything at all
not anything at all
There was not a thing left in the biscuit tin.
not a thing for complete absence
After the move, we could find not a thing in order.
The lake looked empty; not a thing broke the surface.
He opened the drawer and found not a single thing inside.
- something
at least one item or fact is present
文法句型
not a thing
not a single thing
用法筆記
This phrase means a complete absence. It often follows there was, find, leave, or similar verbs.
17. to feel that none of your clothes are suitable enough for the event you are goin
to feel that none of your clothes are suitable enough for the event you are going to
Rina had not a thing to wear for the awards dinner.
fixed phrase: not a thing to wear
After the suitcase vanished, he had not a thing to wear at the conference.
I thought my black dress was clean, but I had not a thing to wear.
That cold morning, we had not a thing to wear that was dry.
文法句型
not have a thing to wear
用法筆記
Usually said in complaint or humour. It means 'nothing suitable to wear', not literally zero clothes in every case.
18. used to say that no action is possible in the situation
used to say that no action is possible in the situation
There is not a thing we can do until the road reopens.
fixed clause for helplessness
The file was deleted, and there was not a thing I could fix.
Once the ferry had left, there was not a thing they could do.
If the pipes are under the street, we can change nothing tonight.
文法句型
there is not a thing ... can do
用法筆記
This is stronger than 'cannot help much'. It says that no effective action is available at all.
19. a particular action, condition, or point being mentioned
a particular action, condition, or point being mentioned
One thing I cannot promise is staying after midnight.
one thing + clause for a specific point
Missing breakfast was a foolish thing to do before the exam.
One thing the contract forbids is sharing customer data.
Taking the shortcut was the wrong thing to do in the fog.
文法句型
one thing is ...
a thing to do
用法筆記
This sense points to one named action, promise, term, or point. Compare sense 20, which is a grammatical pattern after adjectives like first or best.
20. used after words like first, best, only, or last to turn them into a noun phrase
used after words like first, best, only, or last to turn them into a noun phrase
The first thing to do is switch off the main power.
the + adjective/sequence word + thing
The last thing I need tonight is another broken tap.
The best thing about winter here is the clear night sky.
The only thing left on the list is booking the driver.
文法句型
the first thing
the best thing
the only thing
用法筆記
This is a pattern use rather than a lexical meaning of its own. It helps adjectives, sequence words, and similar modifiers form a noun phrase.
21. used to introduce one reason among several
used to introduce one reason among several
For one thing, the rent is higher in the city.
fixed opener for one reason
I will not buy it; for one thing, the screen keeps freezing.
For one thing, we already have three chairs at home.
She hesitated because, for one thing, nobody had checked the lock.
文法句型
for one thing
用法筆記
A discourse phrase used to begin a list of reasons. It often pairs with for another when the speaker adds a second reason.
22. said after an adjective as a warm or pitying way to speak about someone or an an
said after an adjective as a warm or pitying way to speak about someone or an animal
The poor things were shivering in the rain outside the shelter.
adjective + things for sympathy
You brave thing, you finished the race with a sprained ankle.
The hungry things crowded around the farmer's boots at dawn.
You lucky thing, you found the last seat by the window.
文法句型
you lucky thing
the poor things
用法筆記
This use adds warmth, pity, or affectionate surprise. It is common in speech and often appears as a direct address.