A THING has several meanings. If you have a thing for someone or something, that's an attraction, especially a romantic attraction. Belfast Telegraph: <<"Katy [Perry] has always had a thing for Prince Harry," an insider divulged to British newspaper Daily Star. “So she decided to be cheeky and invite him to spend American Independence Day with her and friends in July."
But what about this Time magazine headline, where "a thing" is used by itself? <> This usage is pretty new, and I think it's mostly North American so far. It means a popular trend, a current phenomenon.
English Idioms is a thing! Glad you all have a thing for learning idioms.
DROP THE BALL ON something: mishandle it, fail to live up to responsibilities for something. 3AW radio, Australia: <>
Three related idioms -
To PUSH SOMEONE'S BUTTONS is to do something that you know will provoke a strong reaction.
If something MAKES YOUR BLOOD BOIL, it makes you very angry.
And if something RUBS YOU THE WRONG WAY, it annoys you (like a cat that you pet against the natural direction of its fur). Chicago Now: <
We all have people in our lives that really rub us the wrong way and can change our attitude and the trajectory in our day. I know that I do, and it’s a work in progress to change that.>>
MOM-AND-POP (adj.): small, family owned (said of a business, often a retail shop). Primarily North American (the British say "mum" instead of "mom" for mother). Is there an equivalent British expression? KFOX television, El Paso, Texas: <
"This has been done to facilitate Mexican nationals coming into the United States to shop," said George Salom, president of the Central Business Association. ...
Salom said that anywhere from 40 to 80 percent of sales across the board in El Paso are based on shoppers from Mexico. He said this will positively impact everyone, from the major retailers to the mom-and-pop shops.>>
"Across the board" is also an idiom, meaning " in every part, area, or field of something."
➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .You might also like ⏬
➤ Book of Idioms
➤ Idioms about Animals
➤ Idioms of Expression
➤ Idioms on Food
➤ Idiomatic Expressions
➤ Origin of Idioms
➤ Proverbs
➤ Idioms on Situation
➤ Idioms on Temperature
But what about this Time magazine headline, where "a thing" is used by itself? <
English Idioms is a thing! Glad you all have a thing for learning idioms.
DROP THE BALL ON something: mishandle it, fail to live up to responsibilities for something. 3AW radio, Australia: <
Three related idioms -
To PUSH SOMEONE'S BUTTONS is to do something that you know will provoke a strong reaction.
If something MAKES YOUR BLOOD BOIL, it makes you very angry.
And if something RUBS YOU THE WRONG WAY, it annoys you (like a cat that you pet against the natural direction of its fur). Chicago Now: <
We all have people in our lives that really rub us the wrong way and can change our attitude and the trajectory in our day. I know that I do, and it’s a work in progress to change that.>>
MOM-AND-POP (adj.): small, family owned (said of a business, often a retail shop). Primarily North American (the British say "mum" instead of "mom" for mother). Is there an equivalent British expression? KFOX television, El Paso, Texas: <
"This has been done to facilitate Mexican nationals coming into the United States to shop," said George Salom, president of the Central Business Association. ...
Salom said that anywhere from 40 to 80 percent of sales across the board in El Paso are based on shoppers from Mexico. He said this will positively impact everyone, from the major retailers to the mom-and-pop shops.>>
"Across the board" is also an idiom, meaning " in every part, area, or field of something."
➤ Book of Idioms
➤ Idioms about Animals
➤ Idioms of Expression
➤ Idioms on Food
➤ Idiomatic Expressions
➤ Origin of Idioms
➤ Proverbs
➤ Idioms on Situation
➤ Idioms on Temperature
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