thing

(thĭng)

a. An object or entity that is not or cannot be named specifically: What is this thing for?

b. An individual object, especially an inanimate object: There wasn't a thing in sight.

c. A creature: That baby is the sweetest thing!

d. An entity or item: How many things are there on the test?

e. Something referred to by a word, symbol, sign, or idea; a referent.

2. A possession or item in one's control, as:

a. things Articles of clothing: Put on your things and let's go.

b. things Possessions, including clothing; belongings: Pack your things; it's time to go.

c. often things Law That which can be possessed or owned: things personal; things real.

d. things The equipment needed for an activity or a special purpose.

a. An act, deed, or work: promised to do great things.

b. The result of work or activity: is always building things.

c. A means to an end: just the thing to increase sales.

a. A thought, notion, or utterance: What a rotten thing to say!

b. A piece of information: wouldn't tell me a thing about the project.

5. An end or objective: In blackjack, the thing is to get nearest to 21 without going over.

a. A matter of concern: many things on my mind.

b. A turn of events; a circumstance: The accident was a terrible thing.

c. A particular state of affairs; a situation: Let's deal with this thing promptly.

d. things The general state of affairs; conditions: "Beneath the smooth surface of things, something was wrong" (Tom Wicker).

e. Informal The latest fad or fashion: Drag racing was the thing then.

7. Informal A persistent feeling, interest, desire, or aversion: She has a thing for him and keeps talking about him. I have a thing about seafood and never eat it.

8. Slang An activity uniquely suitable and satisfying to one: Let him do his own thing. Mountain climbing is really my thing.

9. Informal Used to refer to something with disapproval or contempt: Where did you get that thing? I wouldn't drive that thing if you paid me.

Idioms:

first thing Informal

Right away; before anything else: Do your assignments first thing in the morning.

see/hear things

To have hallucinations.

[Middle English, from Old English.]

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

thing

(θɪŋ)

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

2. any inanimate object

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

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

5. an event or act

6. a thought or statement

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

8. a device, means, or instrument

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

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

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

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

13. the done thing acceptable or normal behaviour

14. the thing the latest fashion

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

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

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

thing

(θɪŋ; tɪŋ)

(Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (often capital) a law court or public assembly in the Scandinavian countries. Also: ting

[C19: from Old Norse thing assembly (the same word as thing¹)]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

thing

(θɪŋ)

n.

1. an inanimate object: a person, animal, or thing.

2. some object that is not or cannot be specifically designated: Hand me that thing.

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

4. things, matters; affairs: How are things?

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

6. an action, event, or performance: Biking is a fun thing.

7. a particular; detail: You left out some things.

8. aim; objective: The thing is to enjoy it.

9. an article of clothing: not a thing to wear.

10. things,

a. implements; utensils: the breakfast things.

b. personal possessions: Pack your things!

11. a task; chore: things to do.

12. a living being; creature.

13. a thought; observation: a thing or two to say.

14. a peculiar attitude toward something: She has a thing about cats.

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

16. Informal. issue; subject; topic (usu. preceded by a noun): the leadership thing.

17. the thing,

a. something that is correct or fashionable: It's the new thing.

b. that which is expedient: Do the right thing.

Idioms:

1. do one's thing, Informal. to pursue a lifestyle that expresses one's self.

2. see or hear things, to hallucinate.

[before 900; Middle English; Old English: assembly, affair, entity, being; see thing²]

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Noun	1.	thing - a special situation; "this thing has got to end"; "it is a remarkable thing" situation, state of affairs - the general state of things; the combination of circumstances at a given time; "the present international situation is dangerous"; "wondered how such a state of affairs had come about"; "eternal truths will be neither true nor eternal unless they have fresh meaning for every new social situation"- Franklin D.Roosevelt
	2.	thing - an action; "how could you do such a thing?" action - something done (usually as opposed to something said); "there were stories of murders and other unnatural actions"
	3.	thing - a special abstraction; "a thing of the spirit"; "things of the heart" abstract, abstraction - a concept or idea not associated with any specific instance; "he loved her only in the abstract--not in person"
	4.	thing - an artifact; "how does this thing work?" artefact, artifact - a man-made object taken as a whole flagship - the chief one of a related group; "it is their flagship newspaper" pill - something that resembles a tablet of medicine in shape or size snorter - something that is extraordinary or remarkable or prominent; "a snorter of a sermon"; "the storm wasn't long but it was a snorter" standby - something that can be relied on when needed variation - an artifact that deviates from a norm or standard; "he patented a variation on the sandal" wobbler - something that wobbles
	5.	thing - an event; "a funny thing happened on the way to the..." happening, natural event, occurrence, occurrent - an event that happens feast - something experienced with great delight; "a feast for the eyes"
	6.	thing - a vaguely specified concern; "several matters to attend to"; "it is none of your affair"; "things are going well" affair, matter concern - something that interests you because it is important or affects you; "the safety of the ship is the captain's concern" least - something that is of no importance; "it is the least I can do"; "that is the least of my concerns"
	7.	thing - a statement regarded as an object; "to say the same thing in other terms"; "how can you say such a thing?" statement - a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc; "according to his statement he was in London on that day"
	8.	thing - an entity that is not named specifically; "I couldn't tell what the thing was" entity - that which is perceived or known or inferred to have its own distinct existence (living or nonliving) change - a thing that is different; "he inspected several changes before selecting one" freshener - anything that freshens horror - something that inspires dislike; something horrible; "the painting that others found so beautiful was a horror to him" crackerjack, jimdandy, jimhickey - something excellent of its kind; "the bike was a jimdandy" pacifier - anything that serves to pacify security blanket - anything that an adult person uses to reduce anxiety stinker - anything that gives off an offensive odor (especially a cheap cigar) whacker, whopper - something especially big or impressive of its kind
	9.	thing - any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence; "the thing I like about her is ..." attribute - an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of an entity
	10.	thing - a special objective; "the thing is to stay in bounds" objective, aim, object, target - the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable); "the sole object of her trip was to see her children"
	11.	thing - a persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion; "he has a thing about seafood"; "she has a thing about him" feeling - the experiencing of affective and emotional states; "she had a feeling of euphoria"; "he had terrible feelings of guilt"; "I disliked him and the feeling was mutual"
	12.	thing - a separate and self-contained entity physical entity - an entity that has physical existence depicted object, subject, content - something (a person or object or scene) selected by an artist or photographer for graphic representation; "a moving picture of a train is more dramatic than a still picture of the same subject" body of water, water - the part of the earth's surface covered with water (such as a river or lake or ocean); "they invaded our territorial waters"; "they were sitting by the water's edge" inessential, nonessential - anything that is not essential; "they discarded all their inessentials" essential, necessary, requisite, necessity, requirement - anything indispensable; "food and shelter are necessities of life"; "the essentials of the good life"; "allow farmers to buy their requirements under favorable conditions"; "a place where the requisites of water fuel and fodder can be obtained" part, piece - a portion of a natural object; "they analyzed the river into three parts"; "he needed a piece of granite" reservoir, source - anything (a person or animal or plant or substance) in which an infectious agent normally lives and multiplies; "an infectious agent depends on a reservoir for its survival" building block, unit - a single undivided natural thing occurring in the composition of something else; "units of nucleic acids" variable - something that is likely to vary; something that is subject to variation; "the weather is one variable to be considered"

thing

noun

1. object, article, implement, machine, device, tool, instrument, mechanism, apparatus, gadget, gizmo (informal), contrivance, whatsit (informal), doo-dah (informal), thingummy (informal), thingummyjig (informal) What's that thing in the middle of the fountain?

2. substance, stuff, element, being, body, material, fabric, texture, entity The Earth is mainly made of iron and silicon and things like that.

3. concept, idea, notion, conception Literacy isn't the same thing as intelligence.

4. matter, issue, subject, thought, concern, worry, topic, preoccupation There were far more serious things on my mind.

5. affair, situation, state of affairs, state, circumstance, scenario This war thing is upsetting me.

6. fact, detail, particular, point, factor, piece of information The first thing parents want to know is what sex the baby is.

7. feature, point, detail, something, particular, factor, item, aspect, facet If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

8. (often plural) task, job, activity, act, undertaking, deed, chore, piece of business He will give you a list of things to do.

9. happening, event, incident, proceeding, phenomenon, occurrence, eventuality A strange thing happened.

10. (Informal) phobia, fear, complex, horror, terror, hang-up (informal), aversion, neurosis, bee in your bonnet (informal) She had a thing about spiders.

11. (Informal) obsession, liking, preoccupation, mania, quirk, fetish, fixation, soft spot, predilection, idée fixe (French) He's got a thing about red hair.

12. remark, comment, statement, observation, declaration, utterance, pronouncement No, some things are better left unsaid.

plural noun

1. possessions, stuff, gear, belongings, goods, effects, clothes, luggage, baggage, bits and pieces, paraphernalia, clobber (Brit. slang), odds and ends, chattels, impedimenta She told him to take his things and not come back.

2. equipment, gear, tools, stuff, tackle, implements, kit, apparatus, utensils, accoutrements He forgot his shaving things.

3. circumstances, the situation, the state of affairs, matters, life, affairs Everyone agrees things are getting better.

the thing (Informal) fashionable, trendy (informal), in fashion, in, popular, cool (informal), with it (informal), hip (informal), in vogue, all the rage, du jour (French), the in thing (informal), the new, culty Mobile phones are the thing these days.

your thing your cup of tea, what you like, your bag (informal), what turns you on (informal), what interests you, what floats your boat (informal) Nightclubs are just not my thing!

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

thing

noun

1. One that exists independently:

being, entity, existence, existent, individual, object, something.

2. Something having material existence:

article, item, object.

3. A small specialized mechanical device:

concern, contraption, contrivance, gadget, gimmick, jigger.

Informal: doodad, doohickey, widget.

Slang: gizmo.

4. One's portable property.Often used in plural:

belonging (often used in plural), effect (used in plural), good (used in plural), lares and penates, personal effects, personal property, possession (used in plural), property.

Informal: stuff.

Law: chattel, movable (often used in plural).

5. Things needed for a task, journey, or other purpose.Used in plural:

accouterment (often used in plural), apparatus, equipment, gear, material (used in plural), materiel, outfit, paraphernalia, rig, tackle, turnout.

6. Something done:

act, action, deed, doing, work.

7. Something to be done, considered, or dealt with:

affair, business, matter.

8. Something that happens:

circumstance, event, happening, incident, occasion, occurrence.

9. Something significant that happens:

circumstance, development, episode, event, happening, incident, news, occasion, occurrence.

10. Informal. An irrational preoccupation:

fetish, fixation, mania, obsession.

11. Informal. The current custom:

craze, fad, fashion, furor, mode, rage, style, trend, vogue.

Idioms: the in thing, the last word, the latest thing.

12. Slang. Something at which a person excels:

forte, long suit, métier, specialty, strong point, strong suit.

Slang: bag.

Translations

ding

شَئْشَخْص مَحْبوبشيءشَيْءشَيء، فِكْرَه، أمْر، صِفَه

věcčlověkstvoření

tingvæsengenstand

Ding Sache Thing

πράγμα υποκείμενο πλάσμα

aĵo

cosa criatura cuestión ser asunto

asiese

asiaesine

chose objet personne truc bidule

stvar

dolog

hluturmanneskja

cosa creatura indumenti mania materia

物

물건

res

daiktasdalykaspadarasprieš baigiantprieš miegą

lietapriekšmetsradījumsbūtnekaut kas

lucru

stvarzadevareč

sakting

สิ่งของ

şey madde nesne

đồ vật

东西事或物事物家伙

thing

[θɪŋ] N

1. (concrete) (= object) → cosa f
they were selling all sorts of things → vendían todo tipo de cosas
what's that thing called? → ¿cómo se llama eso?
get that thing off the sofa! → ¡quita esa cosa del sofá!
dogs? I can't stand the things → ¿perros? no puedo con ellos
a thing of beauty → una belleza, un objeto bello
things of value → objetos mpl de valor
you must be seeing things → estás viendo visiones

2. (non-concrete) (= matter, circumstance, action) → cosa f, asunto m, cuestión f
as things are; with things as they are → tal como están las cosas
that's how things are → así están las cosas
how are things? → ¿qué tal?
how are things with you? → ¿qué tal te va?, ¿cómo andas?
things are going badly → las cosas van or marchan mal
things aren't what they used to be → las cosas ya no son como antes or ya no son lo que eran
the thing is → lo que pasa es que ..., el caso es que ...
the thing is to sell your car first → conviene vender primero tu coche
what a thing to say! → ¡qué dices!, ¡cómo se te ocurre!
I haven't done a thing about it → no he hecho nada de nada al respecto
I don't know a thing about cars → no sé nada en absoluto de coches
I didn't know a thing for that exam → para ese examen no sabía nada de nada, para ese examen yo estaba pez (Sp)
above all things → ante todo, sobre todo
all things considered → bien mirado
all things being equal → si las cosas siguen como ahora
the system cannot be all things to all people → el sistema no puede contentar a todo el mundo
a gentleman in all things → un caballero en todos los aspectos
and for another thing → y además ..., y por otra parte ...
the best thing would be to wait → lo mejor sería esperar
the next best thing → lo mejor después de eso
we had hoped for better things → habíamos esperado algo mejor
it was a close thing [race] → fue una carrera muy reñida; [accident] → por poco chocamos, casi chocamos; [escape] → escapamos por un pelo
it's not the done thing → eso no se hace
the first thing to do is → lo primero que hay que hacer es ...
first thing (in the morning) → a primera hora (de la mañana)
you don't know the first thing about it → no sabes nada en absoluto de esto
first things first! → ¡lo primero es lo primero!
it's a good thing he didn't see you → menos mal que no te vio
the good thing about it is that → lo bueno es que ...
it's finished and a good thing too → se acabó y me alegro de ello
she knows a good thing when she sees it → sabe obrar de acuerdo con su propio interés
this is too much of a good thing → esto es demasiado
it's just the thing! → ¡es justo lo que me faltaba!
that's the last thing we want → eso es lo último que queremos
last thing (at night) → antes de acostarse
the main thing → lo más importante, lo principal
to make a mess of things → estropearlo todo
it was a near thing = it was a close thing
(the) next thing I knew, he'd gone → cuando me di cuenta, ya se había ido
not a thing → nada
for one thing → en primer lugar
what with one thing and another → entre una(s) cosa(s) y otra(s)
it's one thing to buy it, quite another to make it work → es fácil comprarlo, pero no es tan fácil hacerlo funcionar
if it's not one thing it's the other → si no es una cosa es otra
neither one thing nor the other → ni lo uno ni lo otro
the only thing is to paint it → la única cosa que se puede hacer es pintarlo
I showed him the copy and he thought it was the real thing → le enseñé la copia y pensó que era el auténtico
this time I'm in love, it's the real thing → esta vez estoy enamorada de verdad
to do the right thing → obrar bien, obrar honradamente
you did the right thing → hiciste bien
I've done a silly thing → he hecho algo tonto
did you ever see such a thing? → ¿se vio jamás tal cosa?
there's no such thing! → ¡no hay tal!
the play's the thing → lo que importa es la representación
it's just one of those things → son cosas que pasan, son cosas de la vida
he knows a thing or two → sabe de qué va
I could tell you a thing or two about her → podría decirte unas cuantas cosas sobre ella
it's the very thing! → ¡es justo lo que me faltaba!
to try to be all things to all men → tratar de serlo todo para todos
to be on to a good thing he knew he was on to a good thing when the orders started flowing in → supo que había dado con chollo cuando empezaron a llover los pedidos
to make a (big) thing (out) of sth he made a big thing out of the accident → exageró mucho el accidente
she made a big thing of introducing him to me → me lo presentó con mucho aparato
don't make a thing of it! → ¡no es para tanto!

3. things (= belongings) → cosas fpl; (= clothes) → ropa fsing; (= luggage) → equipaje msing
where shall I put my things? → ¿dónde pongo mis cosas?
to pack up one's things → hacer las maletas
she had brought her painting things with her → se había traído sus utensilios de pintura
to wash up/clear away the supper things → lavar los platos/quitar la mesa de la cena
to take off one's things → quitarse la ropa, desnudarse

4. (= person)
you mean thing! → ¡mira que eres tacaño!
you nasty thing! → ¡mira que eres desagradable!
you poor (old) thing!, poor thing! → ¡pobrecito!
the stupid thing went and sold it → el muy estúpido fue y lo vendió
she's a sweet little thing, isn't she? → es monísima, ¿verdad?

5. (= fashion)
the latest thing in hats → lo último en sombreros
it's quite the thing → está muy de moda

6. (= activity, preference) his thing is fast cars → lo suyo son los coches rápidos
it's not my thing → no es lo mío
to do one's own thing → ir a su aire
you know her, she likes to do her own thing → ya la conoces, le gusta ir a su aire

7. (= obsession) → obsesión f
he has a thing about cleanliness → está obsesionado con la limpieza → tiene obsesión or manía con la limpieza
he has a thing about steam engines → está obsesionado por las locomotoras a vapor, le obsesionan las locomotoras a vapor
I have a thing about punctuality → soy un maniático de la puntualidad
he's got a thing for her → está colado por ella

8. (= phobia) → fobia f
she has a thing about snakes → le tiene fobia a las serpientes

9. (= relationship, affair) he's got a thing going with her → se entiende con ella
he had a thing with her two years ago → se lió con ella hace dos años

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

thing

[ˈθɪŋ]

(= object) → chose f, truc m
beautiful things → de belles choses
What's that thing called? → Comment s'appelle ce truc ?, Comment ça s'appelle?
and things like that → et des choses comme ça
iron and silicon and things like that → du fer et du silicium et des choses comme ça

(= event, situation) → chose f
Don't bother me with little things like that → Ne m'embête pas avec des petites choses comme ça.
A strange thing happened → Il s'est passé quelque chose de bizarre.
it's a good thing (that) ... → heureusement que ...
It's a good thing that Robert retired → Heureusement que Robert a pris sa retraite.
the thing is, ..., the thing is that ... → ce qu'il y a c'est que ...
for one thing
I prefer badminton to squash. It's not so tiring for one thing → Je préfère le badminton au squash. D'abord, ce n'est pas aussi fatigant.
to do sth first thing, to do sth first thing in the morning (any morning) → faire qch à la première heure, faire qch le matin à la première heure; (tomorrow morning) → commencer par faire qch
I'll go and talk to him first thing in the morning → Demain matin je commencerai par aller lui parler.
last thing, he ... → juste avant de se coucher, il ...
to have a thing about sth/sb (= like) → avoir un faible pour qch/qn (= dislike) → avoir quelque chose contre qch/qn
to do one's own thing → faire ce qu'on a envie
what with one thing and another → pour une raison ou pour une autre
it's just one of those things → ce sont des choses qui arrivent

(= anything) (in negative sentences)
He didn't do a thing to help me → Il n'a pas fait quoi que ce soit pour m'aider.
Don't you worry about a thing → Ne te fais aucun souci.

a thing (= something) → quelque chose
Getting drunk is a thing all young men do → Se soûler est quelque chose que tous les jeunes hommes font.

(= person, animal)
She's a sweet little thing → Elle est adorable.
You're a clever little thing → Tu es loin d'être bête.
poor thing! → le pauvre!(la)
you poor thing! → mon pauvre!(ma)
you lucky thing! → (sacré(e)) veinard(e)!

(what is fashionable)
Going out and getting drunk was considered to be the thing to do → Sortir et se soûler étaient considérés comme LA chose à faire.
it's the latest thing → c'est la dernière mode

(what is right) the best thing would be to ... → le mieux serait de ...
to do the right thing → bien faire
the done thing (British)
It's not the done thing → Ça ne se fait pas.

things npl

(= belongings) → affaires fpl
I like my own things around me → J'aime avoir mes affaires.

(= life in general) → choses fpl
Things are getting better
BUT Ça va mieux.
how are things?, how are things going? → Comment ça va?

thing

(= any material object) → Ding nt; a thing of beauty/great value → etwas Schönes/sehr Wertvolles; she likes sweet things → sie mag Süßes or süße Sachen; what’s that thing? → was ist das?; I don’t have a thing to wear → ich habe nichts zum Anziehen

things pl (= clothes, equipment, belongings) → Sachen pl; have you got your swimming things? → hast du dein Badezeug or deine Badesachen dabei?; they washed up the breakfast things → sie spülten das Frühstücksgeschirr

(non material: = affair, subject) → Sache f; you know, it’s a funny thing → wissen Sie, es ist schon seltsam; the odd/best thing about it is … → das Seltsame/Beste daran ist, …; it’s a good thing I came → nur gut, dass ich gekommen bin; it’s a bad/strange thing but … → es ist schlecht/seltsam, aber …; to make a big thing of or about something → viel Lärm um etw machen; to make a big thing of or about doing something → eine große Sache daraus machen, dass man etw tut; he’s on to or onto a good thing (inf) → er hat da was Gutes aufgetan (inf); he’s got a good thing going there (inf) → der hat da was Gutes laufen (inf); what a (silly) thing to do → wie kann man nur so was (Dummes) tun!; you take the thing too seriously → Sie nehmen die Sache or das zu ernst; there is one/one other thing I want to ask you → eines/und noch etwas möchte ich Sie fragen; and there’s another thing, why didn’t you …? → und noch etwas, warum haben Sie nicht …?; it’s one thing to talk about it, it’s another to do it → es ist eine Sache, davon zu reden, eine völlig andere, es dann auch zu tun; the things you do/say! → was du so machst/sagst!; I must be hearing/seeing things! → ich glaube, ich höre/sehe nicht richtig, ich glaube, ich spinne! (inf); all the things I meant to say/do → alles, was ich sagen/tun wollte; which things in life do you value most? → was or welche Dinge im Leben bewerten Sie am höchsten?; to expect great things of somebody/something → Großes or große Dinge von jdm/etw erwarten; I must think things over → ich muss mir die Sache or das überlegen; things are going from bad to worse → es wird immer schlimmer; as things stand at the moment, as things are … → so wie die Dinge im Moment liegen; how are things (with you)? → wie gehts (bei) Ihnen?; since that’s how things are … → wenn das so ist …, in dem Fall …; it’s bad enough as things are → es ist schon schlimm genug; things aren’t what they used to be → es ist alles nicht mehr so wie früher; to talk of one thing and another → von diesem und jenem reden; taking one thing with another → im Großen und Ganzen, alles in allem; it’s been one thing after the other (going wrong) → es kam eins zum anderen; if it’s not one thing it’s the other → es ist immer irgendetwas; (what) with one thing and another I haven’t had time to do it yet → ich bin einfach noch nicht dazu gekommen; it’s neither one thing nor the other → es ist weder das eine noch das andere; one thing led to another → eins führte zum anderen; for one thing it doesn’t make sense → erst einmal ergibt das überhaupt keinen Sinn; not to see/understand a thing → (absolut) nichts sehen/verstehen; not to know a thing → (absolut) nichts wissen, keine Ahnung haben; to tell somebody a thing or two → jdm einiges erzählen; he knows a thing or two → er hat etwas auf dem Kasten (inf); he knows a thing or two about cars → er kennt sich mit Autos aus; it’s just one of those things → so was kommt eben vor (inf); in all things → in allem ? teach

(= person, animal) → Ding nt; poor little thing → das arme (kleine) Ding!; you poor thing! → du Arme(r)!; she’s a funny old thing → sie ist ein komisches altes Haus (inf); I say, old thing (dated inf) → na, du altes Haus (inf); lucky thing! → der/die Glückliche/du Glückliche(r)!; he looks quite the thing → er sieht (richtig) nach etwas aus

(= what is suitable, best) that’s just the thing for me → das ist genau das Richtige für mich; that’s not the thing to do → so was macht or tut man nicht; his behaviour isn’t quite the thing (dated) → sein Benehmen ist nicht gerade berückend (inf); the latest thing in ties → der letzte Schrei in der Krawattenmode; the thing to do now would be … → was wir jetzt machen sollten, wäre …; that would be the honourable thing to do → es wäre nur anständig, das zu tun

(in phrases) I’m not at my best first thing in the morning → so früh am Morgen bin ich nicht gerade in Hochform; I’ll do that first thing in the morning → ich werde das gleich or als Erstes morgen früh tun; I’ll do it first thing → ich werde das zuerst or als Erstes tun; last thing at night → vor dem Schlafengehen; painting is his thing → das Malen liegt ihm (inf); the thing is to know when … → man muss wissen, wann …; yes, but the thing is … → ja, aber …; the thing is we haven’t got enough money → die Sache ist die, wir haben nicht genug Geld; the thing is, you see, he loves her → das Problem ist, dass er sie liebt; yes but the thing is it won’t work → ja, aber das Dumme ist, es funktioniert nicht; to do one’s own thing (inf) → tun, was man will; when Michael Jackson starts doing his thing (inf) → wenn Michael Jackson seine Schau abzieht (inf); she’s got this thing about Sartre/dogs (inf: = can’t stand) → sie kann Sartre/Hunde einfach nicht ausstehen; (= is fascinated by) → sie hat einen richtigen Sartre-/Hundefimmel (inf); she’s got a thing about spiders (inf) → bei Spinnen dreht sie durch (inf); he’s got a thing about her (inf: = can’t stand) → er kann sie nicht ausstehen; (= is infatuated with) → er ist verrückt nach ihr

(all) things German/mystical/mechanical → alles Deutsche/Geheimnisvolle/Mechanische

(inf, for forgotten name of person) → Dings(bums) mf (inf)

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

thing

[θɪŋ] n

a. → cosa; (object) → oggetto; (contraption) → aggeggio
a thing of beauty → una bella cosa, un bell'oggetto
things of value → oggetti di valore
what's that thing? → cos'è quell'affare?
the main thing is to keep calm → la cosa più importante è mantenere la calma
the first thing to do is (to) check the facts → la prima cosa da fare è controllare i fatti
the best thing would be to ... → la cosa migliore sarebbe di...
for one thing → in primo luogo, tanto per cominciare
what with one thing and another → tra una cosa e l'altra
if it's not one thing it's the other → se non è una è l'altra
it's neither one thing nor the other → non è né carne né pesce
first thing (in the morning) → come or per prima cosa (di mattina)
last thing (at night) → come or per ultima cosa (di sera)
it's a good thing that he left → è stato un bene che se ne sia andato
it was a close or near thing → ce l'ha fatta per un pelo
it's the (very) thing → è proprio quello che ci vuole
the thing is ... → il fatto è che...
it's just one of those things → sono cose che capitano
what a thing to say! → cosa dici mai!
how are things (with you)? → come (ti) va?
things are going badly → le cose vanno male
things aren't what they used to be → non è più come una volta
not a thing to say/to wear → niente da dire/da mettersi
I haven't done a thing about it yet → non ho ancora fatto niente
he knows a thing or two → la sa lunga
to make a mess of things → farla grossa, combinare un casino
you did the right thing (fam) → hai fatto la cosa migliore
to make a (big) thing out of sth (fam) → fare una tragedia di qc

b. things npl (belongings, clothes, equipment) → roba sg, cose fpl
take your wet things off → togliti quella roba bagnata di dosso
the tea things → le cose per il tè
take your things and go! → prendi la tua roba e vattene!

c. to do one's own thing (fam) → fare quello che si vuole
she's got a thing about mice → è terrorizzata dai topi
he's got a thing about brunettes → ha un debole per le brune
the latest thing in hats → l'ultimo grido in fatto di cappelli

d. (creature) poor thing → poveretto/a
what a sweet little thing! → che carino!

thing

(θiŋ) noun

1. an object; something that is not living. What do you use that thing for?

2. a person, especially a person one likes. She's a nice old thing.

3. any fact, quality, idea etc that one can think of or refer to. Music is a wonderful thing; I hope I haven't done the wrong thing; That was a stupid thing to do.

things noun plural

things, especially clothes, that belong to someone. Take all your wet things off.

first thing (in the morningetc)

early in the morning just after getting up, starting work etc. I'll do it first thing (in the morning).

last thing (at nightetc)

late at night, just before stopping work, going to bed etc. She always has a cup of tea last thing at night.

the thing is …

the important fact or question is; the problem is. The thing is, is he going to help us?

thing

→ شَئْ věc ting Ding πράγμα cosa esine chose stvar cosa 物 물건 ding ting rzecz coisa вещь sak สิ่งของ şey đồ vật 东西

thing

n. cosa, objeto.