just one of those things

Idioms

A random occurrence that can't be explained. For example, It wasn't their fault that the show failed; it was just one of those things. This expression was given greater currency as the title and refrain of one of Cole Porter's most popular songs (“Just One of Those Things,” 1935). [c. 1930] Also see one of those days.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It’s just one of those things that the robots will be chuckling about to themselves for the next millennium.

From Slate • Feb. 28, 2026

"It's just one of those things where it's each and every day, I keep trying, I keep progressing," Woods said Tuesday at The Riviera Country Club, where he hosts this week's PGA Tour Genesis Invitational.

From Barron's • Feb. 17, 2026

The Snapple glass bottles are just one of those things that scream 90s nostalgia.

From Salon • Oct. 19, 2025

"As far as we knew, they had done everything right, and it was just one of those things," Mrs Holmes said.

From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025

But I figured that was just one of those things I didn’t understand.

From Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023