thing

[ thing ]

/ θɪŋ /

noun

a material object without life or consciousness; an inanimate object.

some entity, object, or creature that is not or cannot be specifically designated or precisely described: The stick had a brass thing on it.

anything that is or may become an object of thought: things of the spirit.

things, matters; affairs: Things are going well now.

a fact, circumstance, or state of affairs: It is a curious thing.

an action, deed, event, or performance: to do great things; His death was a horrible thing.

a particular, respect, or detail: perfect in all things.

an aim; objective: The thing is to reach this line with the ball.

an article of clothing: I don't have a thing to wear.

things,

implements, utensils, or other articles for service: I'll wash the breakfast things.
personal possessions or belongings: Pack your things and go!

a task; chore: I've got a lot of things to do today.

a living being or creature: His baby's a cute little thing.

a thought or statement: I have just one thing to say to you.

Informal. a particular interest or talent: Sports is not my thing.

Informal. a peculiar attitude or feeling, either positive or negative, toward something; mental quirk: She has a thing about cats.

something signified or represented, as distinguished from a word, symbol, or idea representing it.

a topic, behavior, or activity involving or limited to a specified group: It’s a girl thing, so you wouldn’t understand.

Informal. something that people do (often used in expressions of mild disapproval or mockery): Since when did clapping at the end of a movie become a thing?

Law. anything that may be the subject of a property right.

new thing, Jazz. free jazz.

the thing,

something that is correct or fashionable: That café is the thing now.
that which is expedient or necessary: The thing to do is to tell them the truth.

Idioms for thing

do/find one's own thing, Informal. to pursue a lifestyle that expresses one's self. Also do/find one's thing.

make a good thing of, Informal. to turn (a situation, experience, etc.) to one's own profit; benefit by: She made a good thing of her spare-time hobbies.

not to get a thing out of,

to be unable to obtain information or news from: The police couldn't get a thing out of him.
to fail to appreciate, understand, or derive aesthetic pleasure from: My wife likes opera, but I don't get a thing out of it.

see/hear things, Informal. to have hallucinations.

Origin of thing

before 900; Middle English; Old English: originally, “meeting”; see thing²

Words nearby thing

thin section, thin-film, thin-layer chromatography, thin-skinned, thine, thing, thing or two, thing-in-itself, thingamabob, thingamajig, thingness

British Dictionary definitions for do one's thing (1 of 2)

thing ¹

/ (θɪŋ) /

noun

an object, fact, affair, circumstance, or concept considered as being a separate entity

any inanimate object

an object or entity that cannot or need not be precisely named

informal a person or animal regarded as the object of pity, contempt, etc you poor thing

an event or act

a thought or statement

law any object or right that may be the subject of property (as distinguished from a person)

a device, means, or instrument

(often plural) a possession, article of clothing, etc

informal the normal pattern of behaviour in a particular context not interested in the marriage thing

informal a mental attitude, preoccupation or obsession (esp in the phrase have a thing about)

an activity or mode of behaviour satisfying to one's personality (esp in the phrase do one's (own) thing)

the done thing acceptable or normal behaviour

the thing the latest fashion

be on to a good thing to be in a profitable situation or position

make a thing of to make a fuss about; exaggerate the importance of

Word Origin for thing

Old English thing assembly; related to Old Norse thing assembly, Old High German ding assembly

British Dictionary definitions for do one's thing (2 of 2)

thing ²

/ (θɪŋ, tɪŋ) /

noun

(often capital) a law court or public assembly in the Scandinavian countries Also: ting

Word Origin for thing

C19: from Old Norse thing assembly (the same word as thing 1)

Idioms and Phrases with do one's thing (1 of 2)

do one's thing

Also, do one's own thing. Pursue one's interests or inclination; do what one does best or enjoys the most. For example, I really give him credit for doing his thing and not being discouraged by what the critics say, or Phyllis is busy doing her own thing, running the magazine and publishing books. Although this colloquialism became closely associated with the counterculture of the 1960s, it is actually much older. In one of his essays (1841) Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote: “But do your thing and I shall know you.” However, it came into wide use only during the mid-1900s.

Idioms and Phrases with do one's thing (2 of 2)

thing

In addition to the idiom beginning with thing

thing or two
things are looking up

also see:

all the rage (thing)
all things to all men
amount to the same thing
do one's thing
first thing
first things first
for one (thing)
get (a thing) going
get into the swing of things
greatest thing since sliced bread
have a good thing going
have a thing about
just one of those things
know all the answers (a thing or two)
little knowledge is a dangerous thing
near thing
no such thing
not know beans (the first thing)
of all things
other things being equal
seeing things
sure thing
the latest (thing)
the thing
the thing is
too much of a good thing
very thing

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thing

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British Dictionary definitions for do one's thing (1 of 2)

noun

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noun

Word Origin for thing

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Idioms and Phrases with do one's thing (2 of 2)

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thing

noun

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noun

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noun

Word Origin for thing

Idioms and Phrases with do one's thing (1 of 2)

Idioms and Phrases with do one's thing (2 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for do one's thing (1 of 2)