Introduction
What exactly is a ‘thing’? Well, it can be anything – an object, an idea, an event… all sorts of things! But did you know there are also some English phrases with the word ‘thing’? Learn some of them here with Phil.
Phrases with ‘thing’
a thing of the past
something that just doesn’t happen any more
- Now that we have the internet, people don’t often buy encyclopedias – they are a bit of a thing of the past.
there’s no such thing
it doesn’t exist
- My uncle always used to say,”There’s no such thing as bad weather – just the wrong choice of clothes!”
the next big thing
someone or something that will be popular or successful in future
- I think quantum computing will be the next big thing in technology.
the thick of things
the middle of all the action
- Jamie’s a natural chef – she likes to be in the kitchen, right in the thick of things!
TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Phil
Not one thing, not two things, not three things… four things! I’m going to tell you four phrases with ‘thing’.
Something that just doesn’t happen any more is a thing of the past.
Getting lost is a thing of the past now we’ve all got phones.
If you want to insist that something doesn’t exist, just say: “There’s no such thing.”
A way to learn English instantly? I’m afraid there’s no such thing!
If you think something or someone will be really popular or successful in future, then it or they could be the next big thing.
You’ve got to hear this band. I think they might be the next big thing!
The fourth phrase with ‘thing’ I’ll share with you is about being in the middle of all the action, and if that’s where you are, you’re in the thick of things.
If you want to work in a hospital, you need to like being in the thick of things.
Use these four phrases with ‘thing’ this week!