thing

noun

物体 object

1. 东西；物
   an object whose name you do not use because you do not need to or want to, or because you do not know it
   1. Can you pass me that thing over there?
      把那边那个东西递给我好吗？
   2. She's very fond of sweet things (= sweet foods) .
      她非常喜欢吃甜食。
   3. He's just bought one of those exercise things.
      他刚买了一副体育器械。
   4. Turn that thing off while I'm talking to you!
      我和你谈话时把那个玩意儿关掉。
2. 物件；物品；事物
   an object that is not alive in the way that people and plants are
   1. Don't treat her like that─she's a person, not a thing!
      别那样对待她，她是人，不是物件。
   2. He's good at making things with his hands.
      他善于手工制作物品。
   3. She took no interest in the people and things around her.
      她对周围的人和事毫无兴趣。

所有物；设备 possessions/equipment

3. （个人的）用品，衣服；（某种）用具
   objects, clothing or tools that belong to sb or are used for a particular purpose
   1. Shall I help you pack your things?
      我帮你打点行装好吗？
   2. Bring your swimming things with you.
      随身带上游泳用品。
   3. I'll just clear away the breakfast things.
      我这就收拾早餐餐具。
   4. Put your things (= coat, etc.) on and let's go.
      把你的衣服穿上，咱们就走。

任何东西 anything

4. 任何东西（用于否定句，加强语气）
   used with negatives to mean ‘anything’ in order to emphasize what you are saying
   1. I haven't got a thing to wear!
      我没有一件可穿的衣服！
   2. There wasn't a thing we could do to help.
      没有什么我们能帮得上忙的。
   3. Ignore what he said─it doesn't mean a thing .
      别理睬他说的话，他那都是瞎说。

事实；事件；情况；行为 fact/event/situation/action

5. 事实；事件；情况；行为；话语；想法
   a fact, an event, a situation or an action; what sb says or thinks
   1. There are a lot of things she doesn't know about me.
      我有很多情况她都不了解。
   2. There's another thing I'd like to ask you.
      还有一件事我想问你。
   3. A terrible thing happened last night.
      昨天夜里发生了一件可怕的事情。
   4. He found the whole thing (= the situation) very boring.
      他觉得整件事情非常无聊。
   5. I've got loads of things to do today.
      今天我有许多事要做。
   6. The main thing to remember is to switch off the burglar alarm.
      最要紧的是记住关掉防盗报警器的开关。
   7. I like camping, climbing and that sort of thing .
      我喜欢露营、爬山之类的活动。
   8. She said the first thing that came into her head.
      她想到了什么说什么。
   9. ‘Why did you tell her our secret?’ ‘I did no such thing !’
      “你为什么把我们的秘密告诉她？”“我没干过这种事！”
   10. Let's forget the whole thing (= everything) .
       咱们把所有事情都忘掉吧。
6. 形势；局面；情况；事态
   the general situation, as it affects sb
   1. Things haven't gone entirely to plan.
      事态没有完全按照计划发展。
   2. Hi, Jane! How are things ?
      喂，简，近来怎么样？
   3. Think things over before you decide.
      先把情况考虑周全再作决定。
   4. As things stand at present, he seems certain to win.
      据目前情况看，他似乎胜券在握。
   5. All things considered (= considering all the difficulties or problems) , she's done very well.
      通盘考虑起来，她干得很好。
   6. Why do you make things so difficult for yourself?
      你为什么这样跟自己过不去？

需要的 / 合适的事物 what is needed/right

7. 需要的东西；适当的东西；合适的东西
   what is needed or socially acceptable
   1. You need something to cheer you up─I know just the thing!
      你需要点什么使你高兴起来，我知道什么正合你的需要。
   2. to say the right/wrong thing
      说得体的 / 不得体的话
   3. The best thing to do is to apologize.
      道歉方是上策。

某种类型的事物 things of particular type

8. 所有…的事物；凡是…的东西
   all that can be described in a particular way
   1. She loves all things Japanese.
      凡是日本的东西她都喜欢。

生物 creature

9. 生物；有生命的东西
   a living creature
   1. All living things are composed of cells.
      所有的生物都由细胞组成。

人；动物 person/animal

10. （指人或动物，带感情色彩）人，家伙，东西
    used to talk to or about a person or an animal, to show how you feel about them
    1. You silly thing!
       你这个蠢货！
    2. You must be starving, you poor things.
       你们一定是饿坏了，你们这些可怜的家伙。
    3. The cat's very ill, poor old thing.
       这猫病得很厉害，真可怜。

1. N-COUNT (不能、不必、不愿指明的)东西，事物，特征，事情
   You can use thing to refer to any object, feature, or event when you cannot, need not, or do not want to refer to it more precisely.
   1. 'What's that thing in the middle of the fountain?' — 'Some kind of statue, I guess.'...
      “喷泉中间的那个是什么东西？”——“估计是塑像什么的吧。”
   2. She was in the middle of clearing the breakfast things...
      她正在忙着收拾早饭后的那一摊子。
   3. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?...
      如果你能够改变自己的某个方面，那会是哪个方面呢？
   4. A strange thing happened...
      发生了一件怪事儿。
   5. We get blamed for all kinds of things.
      什么事儿都怪在我们头上。
2. N-COUNT 等等;…之类
   Thing is used in lists and descriptions to give examples or to increase the range of what you are referring to.
   1. These are genetic disorders that only affect males normally. They are things like muscular dystrophy and haemophilia...
      这些遗传病通常只发生在男性身上，如肌肉萎缩、血友病等。
   2. The Earth is made mainly of iron and silicon and things like that...
      地球主要由铁、硅等物质构成。
   3. Big things, such as hospitals and social security, are paid for by the Government...
      医疗和社会保障之类的大型项目是由政府支付。
   4. You can spot them fairly easily because of their short haircuts and things.
      你可以根据他们的短发之类的特征轻易找出他们。
3. N-COUNT (用于形容词后，与其一起表示该形容词的意思)
   Thing is often used after an adjective, where it would also be possible just to use the adjective. For example, you can say it's a different thing instead of it's different .
   1. Of course, literacy isn't the same thing as intelligence...
      当然，识字和智力是两码事。
   2. To be a parent is a terribly difficult thing...
      为人父母真难啊。
   3. Perhaps it's a good thing that Dizzy retired.
      迪齐退休或许是件好事。
4. N-SING (用于强调)任何事情，每件事
   Thing is often used instead of the pronouns 'anything,' or 'everything' in order to emphasize what you are saying.
   1. It isn't going to solve a single thing...
      这什么问题也解决不了。
   2. Don't you worry about a thing...
      你什么也不必担心。
   3. 'It's all here,' she said. 'Every damn thing.'
      “都在这儿了，”她说，“所有的破玩意儿。”
5. N-COUNT (尤用于否定句中，强调恶劣或困难)这种事，这种东西
   Thing is used in expressions such as such a thing or things like that, especially in negative statements, in order to emphasize the bad or difficult situation you are referring back to.
   1. I don't believe he would tell Leo such a thing...
      我不信他会告诉利奥这种事。
   2. 'Are you accusing me of being a thief?' — 'I have done no such thing, Tony.'...
      “你在指责我是小偷吗？”——“我没有做过这种事，托尼。”
   3. How do you actually go about discovering a thing like that?...
      你到底是怎么发现这种东西的？
   4. I'm trying to cope. These things happen. You have to cope.
      我在想法处理。这种事难免发生，只能想办法处理。
6. N-COUNT (尤指不太重要的)情况,形势,活动,想法
   You can use thing to refer in a vague way to a situation, activity, or idea, especially when you want to suggest that it is not very important.
   1. I'm a bit unsettled tonight. This war thing's upsetting me...
      我今晚有点心神不定，这场争斗让我不安。
   2. These folks clearly take this ballroom thing very seriously.
      这些家伙显然很拿舞厅这事当回事。
   3. ...the man who had spoken dismissively of the 'vision thing' when running for the presidency in 1988.
      1988 年竞选总统时不以为然地谈到“那种虚幻的东西”的那个人
7. N-COUNT …之类的东西;类似于…的东西
   You can use thing when you are referring to something that you are uncertain or vague about, after mentioning something that it resembles or could possibly be.
   1. She'd actually taken it home and she put it in this jar thing...
      她确实把它拿回了家，放在了一个罐子模样的东西里。
   2. The captain of the submarine has got this periscope thing.
      那个潜艇艇长有个类似于潜望镜之类的东西。
8. N-COUNT (用来表示将要提及重要事情或特别想要对方知道的情况)
   You often use thing to indicate to the person you are addressing that you are about to mention something important, or something that you particularly want them to know.
   1. One thing I am sure of was that she was scared...
      有一点我能肯定，那就是她当时被吓到了。
   2. The first thing parents want to know is: will the baby survive?...
      父母亲最想知道的是：孩子能活下来吗？
   3. The funny thing is that the rest of us have known that for years...
      滑稽的是，那个情况我们其余的人很多年以前就知道了。
   4. The most important thing to remember about fish is to buy it really fresh.
      买鱼最要紧的是要买活蹦乱跳的。
9. N-COUNT (常用于指代刚提及的事，表示强调或提供更多信息)
   Thing is often used to refer back to something that has just been mentioned, either to emphasize it or to give more information about it.
   1. Getting drunk is a thing all young men do...
      喝醉酒这种情况小伙子都会有。
   2. I never wanted to be normal. It was not a thing I ever thought desirable...
      我从来也没有想要正常过。那不是我想做的事。
   3. The Captain stretched his left leg on one of the empty chairs. He knew it was not a polite thing to do.
      上尉把左腿架在了一把空椅子上。他知道这样做并不礼貌。
10. N-COUNT (无生命的)物体，东西
    A thing is a physical object that is considered as having no life of its own.
    1. It's not a thing, Beauchamp. It's a human being!
       比彻姆，那不是一件东西，是一个人！
11. N-COUNT 东西，玩意儿(表示蔑视或愤怒)
    Thing is used to refer to something, especially a physical object, when you want to express contempt or anger towards it.
    1. This thing's virtually useless...
       这玩意儿简直一点用也没有。
    2. They're armed with sub-machine-guns or machine-pistols or whatever you call those things...
       他们持有轻机枪或者冲锋枪，还是什么玩意儿的。
    3. Turn that thing off!
       把那东西关掉！
12. N-COUNT 家伙，东西（用以提及人或动物的某一特点，通常表示喜爱之情)
    You can call a person or an animal a particular thing when you want to mention a particular quality that they have and express your feelings towards them, usually affectionate feelings.
    1. You really are quite a clever little thing...
       你真是个聪明的小家伙。
    2. Oh you lucky thing!
       你这个走运的家伙！
13. N-PLURAL 衣物;财物;财产
    Your things are your clothes or possessions.
    1. Sara told him to take all his things and not to return...
       萨拉叫他带着他的全部家当离开，再也别回来。
    2. Is there anything you'd like to borrow, before your own things are unpacked?
       你在打开行李之前还要借什么东西吗？
14. N-PLURAL (泛指)情况
    Things can refer to the situation or life in general and the way it is changing or affecting you.
    1. Everyone agrees things are getting better...
       大家都认为，情况正在好转。
    2. A change of ownership might improve things...
       改变所有权也许能使情况改善。
    3. How are things going?
       日子过得怎么样？
15. N-PLURAL 物质生活;精神生活
    Things can refer to a particular aspect of life, such as the physical or spiritual aspect.
    1. ...a movement away from the things of this world to the things of the spirit...
       出世超凡
    2. I think I'm more aware now of some spiritual things and I do believe in good and evil.
       我觉得我现在更加注重精神生活，而且我真的相信善恶报应。
16. N-COUNT (难以言表的)可怕的事情，怪事，恐怖的事情
    You can refer to something that is too frightening, strange, or horrible to describe clearly as a thing .
    1. ...John W. Campbell, author of 'The Thing From Another World.'
       约翰·W.坎贝尔，《外星来客》的作者
17. N-SING 流行的东西;时尚
    If you say that something is the thing, you mean that it is fashionable or popular.
    1. I feel under pressure to go out and get drunk because it's the thing to do...
       我感觉不得不出去喝他个一醉方休，因为流行这样。
    2. They were obviously of the opinion that his taste was not quite the thing.
       他们显然认为他的品味已不太流行。
18. PHRASE 在各种情况下;总是
    In all things means in every situation and at all times.
    1. Sara wished Franklin to follow family tradition, in this as in all things.
       萨拉希望富兰克林在这件事上和所有其他事情一样，能遵循家庭传统。
    2. ...the old rule of health, which prescribes moderation in all things.
       提倡凡事适可而止的传统养生之道
19. PHRASE 八面玲珑;四面讨好
    If you say that someone or something is trying to be all things to all men or to all people, you are criticizing them because they are trying to behave in a way that will please everyone, and this is impossible.
    1. I realised I had a big problem. I wanted to be all things to all people...
       我意识到我有个大毛病，我总想不得罪任何人。
    2. The film tries to be all things to all men — comedy, romance, fantasy, and satire.
       这部电影试图面面俱到——既是喜剧、爱情剧、梦幻剧，还想是讽刺剧。
20. PHRASE 做(正确或得体的)事
    If, for example, you do the right thing or do the decent thing in a situation, you do something which is considered correct or socially acceptable in that situation.
    1. People want to do the right thing and buy 'green'...
       人们想要做正确的事，于是购买“绿色”产品。
    2. Carrington did the honourable thing and resigned...
       卡林顿作出了令人敬佩的举动，辞了职。
    3. I think I did the wrong thing.
       我想我做错了。
21. PHRASE 符合社会习俗的事
    If you say that something is the done thing, you mean it is the most socially acceptable way to behave.
    1. It was not the done thing. In those days the man was supposed to be the provider.
       那不符合社会习俗。在那个年代，养家的应该是男人。
22. PHRASE 第一件事/最后一件事;一大早/临睡前
    If you do something first thing, you do it at the beginning of the day, before you do anything else. If you do it last thing, you do it at the end of the day, before you go to bed or go to sleep.
    1. I'll go see her, first thing...
       我一早就去看她。
    2. Take the money to your office without fail, first thing in the morning...
       早上第一件事是一定要把钱拿到办公室去。
    3. I always do it last thing on a Saturday...
       这件事我总是放在星期六晚上睡觉前做。
    4. Last thing at night, he thought of her.
       晚上临睡前，他想起了她。
23. PHRASE 对…很反感;对…有特别的感觉
    If you have a thing about someone or something, you have very strong feelings about them.
    1. I had always had a thing about red hair...
       我一直很讨厌红头发。
    2. He's got this thing about ties.
       他对领带很在意。
24. PHRASE 最好…，…较好(用来提出建议或评论)
    You say it is a good thing to do something to introduce a piece of advice or a comment on a situation or activity.
    1. Can you tell me whether it is a good thing to prune an apple tree?...
       你能否告诉我该不该修剪苹果树？
    2. In a new democracy, it is no bad thing to master the art of compromise...
       在新的民主国家，掌握妥协这门艺术不是件坏事。
    3. It is a terrible thing to doubt someone you have trusted all your life.
       怀疑你信任了一辈子的人是很叫人痛心的事。
25. PHRASE 大肆渲染;小题大做;把事情闹大
    If you make a thing of something or make a thing about it, you talk about it or do it in an exaggerated way, so that it seems much more important than it really is.
    1. Gossips made a big thing about him going on shopping trips with her...
       风言风语把他和她出去购物这件事闹得沸沸扬扬。
    2. I took his hand to make a big thing of introducing him to my mother...
       我拉着他的手，郑重其事地把他介绍给了我母亲。
    3. I didn't have time to tell you, and anyway, I didn't want to make a big thing out of it.
       我当时没有时间对你讲，再说了，我也不想把这事闹大。
26. PHRASE (用于对比两种想法、行动、局势，强调第二种更困难、重要或极端)…是一回事
    You can say that the first of two ideas, actions, or situations is one thing when you want to contrast it with a second idea, action, or situation and emphasize that the second one is much more difficult, important, or extreme.
    1. It was one thing to talk about leaving; it was another to physically walk out the door...
       说走容易，真要抬腿跨出门可就难了。
    2. Borrowing $100,000 is one thing. Owing $425,000 is another!
       借 10 万美元事儿小，欠 42.5 万美元这事可就大了。
27. PHRASE 一方面;一来
    You can say for one thing when you are explaining a statement or answering a question, to suggest that you are not giving the whole explanation or answer, and that there are other points that you could add to it.
    1. She was a monster. For one thing, she really enjoyed cruelty...
       她是个恶魔。一方面，她确实以残忍为乐。
    2. She was unable to sell it, because for one thing its size was awkward...
       她卖不掉它，一来是由于尺寸用起来不方便。
    3. 'How have the sanctions affected your life in Belgrade?' — 'Well, for one thing, we already have shortages.'
       “制裁措施对于你在贝尔格莱德的生活有多大影响？”——“嗯，首先，我们已经缺乏物资。”
28. PHRASE 各种原因;诸多事项
    You can use the expression 'one thing and another' to suggest that there are several reasons for something or several items on a list, but you are not going to explain or mention them all.
    1. What with one thing and another, it was fairly late in the day when we returned to Shrewsbury...
       忙完这个又忙那个，等到我们回到什鲁斯伯里的时候，天色已经很晚了。
    2. Everybody came in with their Christmas order for beer and spirits and port and one thing and another.
       每位来客都要为圣诞节订购啤酒、烈酒、波尔图葡萄酒等这样那样的酒。
29. PHRASE 没办法解释的事;赶巧发生
    If you say it is just one of those things you mean that you cannot explain something because it seems to happen by chance.
    1. 'I wonder why.' Mr. Dambar shrugged. 'It must be just one of those things, I guess.'
       “我也不知道为啥，”丹巴先生耸了耸肩，“我想可能是赶巧了吧。”
    2. It was simply one of those things, pure coincidence.
       这是没办法的事，纯属巧合。
30. PHRASE 顺理成章;自然而然
    You say one thing led to another when you are explaining how something happened, but you do not really want to give the details or you think people will be able to imagine the details.
    1. He came by on Saturday to see if she was lonely. One thing led to another and he stayed the night.
       他星期六过来看看她是不是感到孤独。自然而然地，他就留下来过夜了。
31. PHRASE 我行我素;特立独行
    If you do your own thing, you live, act, or behave in the way you want to, without paying attention to convention or depending on other people.
    1. We accept the right of all men and women to do their own thing, however bizarre...
       我们承认所有人——无论男女——都有权以自己的方式去生活，不管其方式有多么怪异离奇。
    2. She was allowed to do her own thing as long as she kept in touch by phone.
       只要她保持电话联系，她就可以随心所欲地生活。
32. PHRASE 不复存在的事物;过去的东西
    If something is a thing of the past, it no longer exists or happens, or is being replaced by something new.
    1. Painful typhoid injections are a thing of the past, thanks to the introduction of an oral vaccine...
       自从发明了口服疫苗后，令人痛苦的伤寒疫苗注射就成为了过去。
    2. Cheap computers, faxes and phone calls will make commuting to work a thing of the past.
       廉价的电脑、传真和电话通信将使每天坐车上下班成为历史。
33. PHRASE 幻视/幻听
    If you say that someone is seeing or hearing things, you mean that they believe they are seeing or hearing something that is not really there.
    1. Dr Payne led Lana back into the examination room and told her she was seeing things...
       佩恩大夫把拉娜领回检查室，告诉她她有幻视。
    2. I thought I was hearing things yesterday. I thought I heard a cuckoo.
       我想昨天我出现幻听了。我以为听到了布谷鸟叫。
34. PHRASE 没有这回事;不可能的事
    You can say there is no such thing as something to emphasize that it does not exist or is not possible.
    1. There really is no such thing as a totally risk-free industry...
       完全没有风险的行业是不存在的。
    2. 'I found a mermaid.' — 'Don't be daft. There's no such thing.'
       “我发现了一条美人鱼。”——“别说傻话了。哪有那种东西。”
35. PHRASE 原因是;情况是;问题是
    You say the thing is to introduce an explanation, comment, or opinion, that relates to something that has just been said. The thing is is often used to identify a problem relating to what has just been said.
    1. 'What does your market research consist of?' — 'Well, the thing is, it depends on our target age group.'...
       “你的市场调查有哪些内容？”“嗯，这个嘛，要视我们的目标年龄群体而定。”
    2. I'm getting a grant for a speech therapy course. But the thing is, I don't know whether I want to do it any more.
       我要弄到开设言语治疗课程的经费了。但问题是，我不知道自己是否还想做下去。
36. PHRASE 正是所要的;正是所需的
    If you say that something is just the thing or is the very thing, you are emphasizing that it is exactly what is wanted or needed.
    1. Kiwi fruit are just the thing for a healthy snack...
       猕猴桃正是健康的小点心。
    2. I know the very thing to cheer you up.
       我知道什么能让你提起精神。
37. PHRASE 十分了解;精通
    If you say that a person knows a thing or two about something or could teach someone a thing or two about it, you mean that they know a lot about it or are good at it.
    1. Patricia Hewitt knows a thing or two about how to be well-organised...
       帕特里夏·休伊特很了解如何做到有条不紊。
    2. They do agree Africa could teach America a thing or two about family values...
       他们一致认为，在家庭价值方面，非洲可以教给美洲很多。
    3. The peace movement has learnt a thing or two from Vietnam.
       和平运动从越南学到了不少东西。
38. other things being equal → see: equal

1. 'What's that thing in the middle of the fountain?' — 'Some kind of statue, I guess.'
   “喷泉中间的那个是什么东西？”——“估计是塑像什么的吧。”
2. These are genetic disorders that only affect males normally. They are things like muscular dystrophy and haemophilia
   这些遗传病通常只发生在男性身上，如肌肉萎缩、血友病等。
3. Of course, literacy isn't the same thing as intelligence
   当然，识字和智力是两码事。
4. It isn't going to solve a single thing
   这什么问题也解决不了。
5. I don't believe he would tell Leo such a thing
   我不信他会告诉利奥这种事。
6. I'm a bit unsettled tonight. This war thing's upsetting me
   我今晚有点心神不定，这场争斗让我不安。
7. She'd actually taken it home and she put it in this jar thing
   她确实把它拿回了家，放在了一个罐子模样的东西里。
8. One thing I am sure of was that she was scared
   有一点我能肯定，那就是她当时被吓到了。
9. Getting drunk is a thing all young men do
   喝醉酒这种情况小伙子都会有。
10. It's not a thing, Beauchamp. It's a human being!
    比彻姆，那不是一件东西，是一个人！
11. This thing's virtually useless
    这玩意儿简直一点用也没有。
12. You really are quite a clever little thing
    你真是个聪明的小家伙。
13. Sara told him to take all his things and not to return
    萨拉叫他带着他的全部家当离开，再也别回来。
14. Everyone agrees things are getting better
    大家都认为，情况正在好转。
15. I think I'm more aware now of some spiritual things and I do believe in good and evil.
    我觉得我现在更加注重精神生活，而且我真的相信善恶报应。
16. I feel under pressure to go out and get drunk because it's the thing to do
    我感觉不得不出去喝他个一醉方休，因为流行这样。
17. Sara wished Franklin to follow family tradition, in this as in all things.
    萨拉希望富兰克林在这件事上和所有其他事情一样，能遵循家庭传统。
18. I realised I had a big problem. I wanted to be all things to all people
    我意识到我有个大毛病，我总想不得罪任何人。
19. People want to do the right thing and buy 'green'
    人们想要做正确的事，于是购买“绿色”产品。
20. It was not the done thing. In those days the man was supposed to be the provider.
    那不符合社会习俗。在那个年代，养家的应该是男人。
21. I'll go see her, first thing
    我一早就去看她。
22. I had always had a thing about red hair
    我一直很讨厌红头发。
23. Can you tell me whether it is a good thing to prune an apple tree?
    你能否告诉我该不该修剪苹果树？
24. Gossips made a big thing about him going on shopping trips with her
    风言风语把他和她出去购物这件事闹得沸沸扬扬。
25. It was one thing to talk about leaving; it was another to physically walk out the door
    说走容易，真要抬腿跨出门可就难了。
26. She was a monster. For one thing, she really enjoyed cruelty
    她是个恶魔。一方面，她确实以残忍为乐。
27. What with one thing and another, it was fairly late in the day when we returned to Shrewsbury
    忙完这个又忙那个，等到我们回到什鲁斯伯里的时候，天色已经很晚了。
28. 'I wonder why.' Mr. Dambar shrugged. 'It must be just one of those things, I guess.'
    “我也不知道为啥，”丹巴先生耸了耸肩，“我想可能是赶巧了吧。”
29. He came by on Saturday to see if she was lonely. One thing led to another and he stayed the night.
    他星期六过来看看她是不是感到孤独。自然而然地，他就留下来过夜了。
30. We accept the right of all men and women to do their own thing, however bizarre
    我们承认所有人——无论男女——都有权以自己的方式去生活，不管其方式有多么怪异离奇。

  matter affair business concern thing【导航词义：事情】

  matter n. 事情，事务

〔辨析〕通常指关乎利益、命运等的紧要事务，必须予以考虑或解决。

  affair n. 事件，事情

〔辨析〕指令人印象深刻的重大事件或具有某种特点的不寻常之事。

  business n. 事情，事务

〔辨析〕指需要完成或讨论的重要事务，也指归某人管的事或某人持有某种看法的事情。

  concern n. 事情，关注的事

〔辨析〕指关系到某人切身利益、引起其关注或担忧的重要事情。

  thing n. 事情

〔辨析〕普通用词，词义最为广泛，可指任何事实、事件、情况、行为等。

n.

A is one thing, B is another

it's one thing to do A, it's another thing to do B

• …是一回事，…是另一回事；…和…截然不同
  B is very different from A, for example it is more difficult, serious or important
  1. Romance is one thing, marriage is quite another.
     爱情是一回事，婚姻却是另一回事。
  2. It's one thing to tease your sister, but it's another to hit her.
     逗你妹妹玩是一回事，但打她那就另当别论了。

all/other things being equal

• 如果所有条件保持不变；如果其他情况一样
  if the conditions stay the same; if other conditions are the same
  1. All things being equal, we should finish the job tomorrow.
     一切照常的话，我们明天应该能完成这项工作。

and things (like that)

• 等等；之类
  used when you do not want to complete a list
  1. She likes nice clothes and things like that.
     她喜欢漂亮衣服之类的东西。
  2. I've been busy shopping and things.
     我一直忙于购物之类的事情。

be all things to all men/people

• 使人人高兴；八面玲珑
  to please everyone by changing your attitudes or opinions to suit different people
• 仁者见仁，智者见智
  to be understood or used in different ways by different people

come to/be the same thing

• 结果相同；意义相同
  to have the same result or meaning

be a good thing (that)…

• 幸运的是；幸亏
  to be lucky that…
  1. It's a good thing we got here early.
     幸亏我们早到了这儿。

be no bad thing (that)…

• 并不是坏事；或许是好事
  used to say that although sth seems to be bad, it could have good results
  1. We didn't want the press to get hold of the story, but it might be no bad thing.
     我们本不想让新闻界知道这事，但是知道了也许并非是坏事。

be onto a good thing

• 找到称心的工作；过上舒心的日子；混得不错
  to have found a job, situation or style of life that is pleasant or easy

do things to sb

• 使某人十分激动；震撼某人
  to have a powerful emotional effect on sb
  1. That song just does things to me.
     一听到那首歌我就激动不已。

do your own thing

• 做自己想做的事；照自己的意愿行事；独立自主；自行其事
  to do what you want to do or what interests you, without thinking about other people; to be independent

first/last thing

• 一早 / 晚上最后（要做的事）
  early in the morning/late in the evening
  1. I need the report on my desk first thing Monday morning.
     星期一一早这个报告就得放在我的办公桌上。

first things first

• 要事先办
  the most important matters must be dealt with first
  1. We have a lot to discuss, but, first things first, let's have a cup of coffee!
     我们有许多事要讨论，不过急事先办，咱们先喝杯咖啡吧！

for one thing

• （用以引出两个以上的理由之一）一来，一方面
  used to introduce one of two or more reasons for doing sth
  1. ‘Why don't you get a car?’ ‘Well, for one thing, I can't drive!’
     “你为什么不买辆汽车呢？”“啊，首先，我不会开车！”

have a thing about sb/sth

• （莫名其妙地）对…有好感，对…有偏见
  to have a strong like or dislike of sb/sth in a way that seems strange or unreasonable
  1. She has a thing about men with beards.
     她对留胡子的男人有强烈的感觉。

it isn't my, his, etc. thing

• 这不是我（或他等）真正喜欢的东西；并非…所好
  it isn't sth that you really enjoy or are interested in

it's a… thing

• 这是…的事（只有某群体才理解的）
  it is sth that only a particular group understands
  1. You wouldn't know what it means─it's a girl thing.
     你不会知道那是什么意思，那是女孩子家的事。

know/tell sb a thing or two (about sb/sth)

• 了解 / 透露有用的（或有趣的、意外的）信息；有所了解 / 披露；见多识广
  to know/tell sb some useful, interesting or surprising information about sb/sth
  1. She's been married five times, so she knows a thing or two about men!
     她结过五次婚，所以对男人有所了解。

make a (big) thing of/about sth

• 小题大做；大惊小怪；故弄玄虚
  to make sth seem more important than it really is

not know, etc. the first thing about sth/sb

• 对…一无所知；对…一窍不通
  to know nothing at all about sth/sb

not quite the thing

• 不太合时宜；不太时兴；不得体
  not considered socially acceptable
  1. It wouldn't be quite the thing to turn up in running gear.
     穿着跑步的运动服出现在这场合可不大成体统。
• 身体不舒服；感到不适
  not healthy or normal

(just) one of those things

• 命中注定的事；难免的倒霉事；不可挽回的事
  used to say that you do not want to discuss or think about sth bad or unpleasant that has happened, but just accept it
  1. It wasn't your fault. It was just one of those things.
     不是你的错。这是命中注定的事。

one (damned/damn) thing after another

• （抱怨时用）倒霉事一桩接一桩
  used to complain that a lot of unpleasant things keep happening to you

one thing leads to another

• （暗示事情的发展过程显而易见）一来二去，自然而然
  used to suggest that the way one event or action leads to others is so obvious that it does not need to be stated
  1. He offered me a ride home one night, and, well, one thing led to another and now we're married!
     一天晚上他让我搭车回家，唔，就这样自然发展，我们现在结婚了！

be seeing/hearing things

• 产生幻觉
  to imagine that you can see or hear sth that is in fact not there

there's only one thing for it

• 这只有一个办法
  there is only one possible course of action

these things are sent to try us

• （表示无法改变，应该接受）这些都是对我们的考验／磨炼
  used to say that you should accept an unpleasant situation or event because you cannot change it

the thing is

• 事实是；主要原因是
  used to introduce an important fact, reason or explanation
  1. I'm sorry my assignment isn't finished. The thing is, I've had a lot of other work this week.
     对不起，我的任务没完成。主要原因是我这星期有许多其他工作要做。

the thing (about/with sth/sb) is

• …的问题是
  used to introduce a problem about sth/sb
  1. The thing with Karl is, he's always late.
     卡尔的问题是，他总是迟到。

the (whole)… thing

• （纯粹的）…事；（完全是）…的活动
  a situation or an activity of the type mentioned
  1. She really didn't want to be involved in the whole family thing.
     她实在不想卷入这件家事中。

things that go bump in the night

• 夜里奇异可怕的响声；鬼魂；超自然现象
  used to refer to ghosts and other supernatural things that cannot be explained

too much of a good thing

• 好事多了也觉得腻
  used to say that, although sth is pleasant, you do not want to have too much of it

(what) with one thing and another

• 因为事情一个接着一个；由于忙得不可开交
  because you have been busy with various problems, events or things you had to do
  1. I completely forgot her birthday, what with one thing and another.
     因为忙得不可开交，我把她的生日忘得一干二净。

chance would be a fine thing

• 苦于没有机会
  people say chance would be a fine thing to show that they would like to do or have the thing that sb has mentioned, but that they do not think that it is very likely

a close thing

• 成败机会各半
  a situation in which success or failure is equally possible
  1. We got him out in the end, but it was a close thing.
     我们最后总算把他救了出来，可那是真险啊。

a close run thing

• （比赛或选举等中的）险胜，差距很小的败北
  a situation in which sb only just wins or loses, for example in a competition or an election

take it/things one day at a time

• 得过且过；做一天和尚撞一天钟；过一天算一天
  to not think about what will happen in the future
  1. I don't know if he'll get better. We're just taking it one day at a time.
     我不知道他还能不能好转，我们只有过一天算一天。

to do the decent thing

• （尤指在困境中）做人心所向的事，做体面事
  to do what people or society expect, especially in a difficult situation
  1. He did the decent thing and resigned.
     他做得很体面，辞职了。

be the done thing

• 是合乎礼仪的行为；是得体的行为
  to be socially acceptable behaviour

take it/things easy

• 放松；休息；别过分劳累
  to relax and avoid working too hard or doing too much
  1. The doctor told me to take it easy for a few weeks.
     医生叫我休息几周。

in the nature of things

• 理所当然地；自然地
  in the way that things usually happen
  1. In the nature of things, young people often rebel against their parents.
     年轻人常常会反抗他们的父母，这很自然。

a near thing

• 侥幸做成的事
  a situation in which you are successful, but which could also have ended badly
  1. Phew! That was a near thing! It could have been a disaster.
     哎呀！好险哪！差一点儿出事。
  2. We won in the end but it was a near thing.
     我们最后赢了，但比分很近。

the only thing is…

• 问题是；麻烦的是；只是；不过
  used before mentioning a worry or problem you have with sth
  1. I'd love to come─the only thing is I might be late.
     我很想去——只不过我可能会迟到。

overdo it/things

• （工作、学习等）过分努力
  to work, study, etc. too hard or for too long
  1. He's been overdoing things recently.
     他最近过于努力了。
  2. I overdid it in the gym and hurt my back.
     我在健身房练得过火了，结果弄伤了背。

push your luck

push it/things

• （由于过去的成功过关）再冒一次险，继续碰运气
  to take a risk because you have successfully avoided problems in the past
  1. You didn't get caught last time, but don't push your luck!
     上次没被逮住，但你不要再心存侥幸了！

the real thing

• 真品；真正的事物
  the genuine thing
  1. Are you sure it's the real thing (= love) , not just infatuation?
     你能确定这是真爱，而非一时痴迷？

the/sb's scheme of things

• 格局；心中的安排
  the way things seem to be organized; the way sb wants everything to be organized
  1. My personal problems are not really important in the overall scheme of things .
     从全局来看，我个人的问题并非十分重要。
  2. I don't think marriage figures in his scheme of things.
     我想，婚姻在他的心目中是无足轻重的。

the shape of things to come

• 未来的状况
  the way things are likely to develop in the future

sure thing

• （答应建议或要求）当然，一定
  used to say ‘yes’ to a suggestion or request
  1. ‘Are you coming?’ ‘Sure thing.’
     “你来吗？”“当然。”

as it/things turned out

• 正如后来表明的；果然如此；果不其然
  as was shown or proved by later events
  1. I didn't need my umbrella, as it turned out (= because it didn't rain) .
     我果然没用上我的伞。

have it/things/everything your own way

• 为所欲为；一意孤行
  to have what you want, especially by opposing other people

work it/things

• （尤指巧妙地）办成，办妥
  to arrange sth in a particular way, especially by being clever
  1. Can you work it so that we get free tickets?
     你能不能为我们搞到些免费票？

noun

1. a separate and self-contained entity

2. an action
   1. how could you do such a thing?

3. an artifact
   1. how does this thing work?

4. an entity that is not named specifically
   1. I couldn't tell what the thing was

5. any attribute or quality considered as having its own existence
   1. the thing I like about her is ...

6. a vaguely specified concern
   1. several matters to attend to
   2. it is none of your affair
   3. things are going well

   Synonym:    matteraffair

7. a special abstraction
   1. a thing of the spirit
   2. things of the heart

8. a special objective
   1. the thing is to stay in bounds

9. a statement regarded as an object
   1. to say the same thing in other terms
   2. how can you say such a thing?

10. an event
    1. a funny thing happened on the way to the...

11. a persistent illogical feeling of desire or aversion
    1. he has a thing about seafood
    2. she has a thing about him

12. a special situation
    1. this thing has got to end
    2. it is a remarkable thing