the thing

Idioms  

1. Also, the in thing. Something in style or vogue, the latest trend. For example, Wearing oversized clothes is the thing these days, or Vans and sports utility vehicles have been the in thing for some time now. The first term dates from the mid-1700s; the second, which uses in in the sense of “popular,” dates from the mid-1900s. Also see the latest.

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Example Sentences

But then what happened to it was Paul was working with Andrew, and Andrew played him the thing with him on guitar and me on drums.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

“I worry that these attacks are battering the institution and putting at risk the thing that really matters to the public, the ability to conduct monetary policy without any consideration of political factors,” Powell said.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

"This is going to be the thing that Carney will have to carefully manage the public's expectations on," Coletto said.

From BBC • Apr. 26, 2026

“Michael” is that disastrous blunder, the thing so completely enveloped in its own self-righteousness that looks terrible no matter where you’re standing.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

I grabbed his hand, and together we activated our cuffs just as the plane dropped its rocket onto the thing that wasn’t a pool and everything went black.

From "Glitch" by Laura Martin