Thing

need thing

We’ll have to stop at the supermarket. We need a few basic things like bread and milk.

make thing

My dad’s a sculptor. He makes things out of wood he finds on the beach.

wash up thing

Perter, you haven’t washed up the breakfast things ye. Do them before you go to school, please.

pack thing

Pack your things. We’re leaving in 10 minutes.

think thing

He’s not sure what he’s going to do, so he’s taken a few days off to think things over.

accept thing

You should try to change the situation rather than accept things as they are.

turn on thing

I don’t know if things are going to work out between John and me.

>Don’t worry. I’m sure things will turn out Ok.

make thing

You’re only making things worse by ignoring her. I think you two need to talk things over.

look at thing

Try to look at things from my point of view for a change.

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I’ll be late home tonight. I’ve got loads of things to do at work.

Philip is definitely different! Yes, he does have a funny way of doing things.

The phone never stops ringing! That’s why it’s impossible to get things done.

I’m sorry I’ve got to get on with some work. I’ve got better things to do than stand chatting!

I know people who cheat in exams. I’d never do a thing like that.

I can’t get the video to work. I’ve done all the right things! I think it’s broken.

I range and told him what I thought of him! I would have done the same things myself.

I wish I had listened to you! Yes, it was a foolish thing to do.

The Minister’s resigned! Good. It was the proper thing to do.

He asked me how much I earned. It’s just not the done thing to ask that.

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see nothing

I’m sorry, I can’t see a thing without my specs. Could you read the menu out to me?

miss nothing

I’m going to the party as early as I can. I don’t want to miss a thing.

do nothing

They have cheated you out of your money, but I’m afraid you can’t do a thing about it.

eat nothing

I’m absolutely starving. I haven’t eaten a thing all day.

say nothing

I heard that Frank is losing his job. I haven’t said a thing about it to anyone.

good thing

It’s a good thing you remembered to bring the bottle opener! I completely forgot!

slightest thing

He’s easily upset. He loses his temper at the slightest little thing.

bad thing

Too much exercise can be a bad thing. You can easily damage your body.

main thing

The main thing in this type of situation is to remain calm.

funny thing

A funny thing happened to me on the way to work this morning.

last thing

I only want to help you. The last thing I want to do is to make you unhappy.

 

Notes

• Note the following common expressions:

Try not to let things get you down. Remember the saying, ‘Things can only get better!’

She offered to help me, but I assured her that I had things under control.

I demanded a meeting with the manager to get a few things straight.

• Notice this expression:

Books may one day become a thing of the past.

• This expression is used when you make a mistake socially:

Oh, sorry. I’ve just said the wrong thing, haven’t I?