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.

Thing is used in lists and descriptions to give examples or to increase the range of what you are referring to.

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 .

Thing is often used instead of the pronouns 'anything,' or 'everything' in order to emphasize what you are saying.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A thing is a physical object that is considered as having no life of its own.

Thing is used to refer to something, especially a physical object, when you want to express contempt or anger towards it.

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.

Your things are your clothes or possessions.

Things can refer to the situation or life in general and the way it is changing or affecting you.

Things can refer to a particular aspect of life, such as the physical or spiritual aspect.

You can refer to something that is too frightening, strange, or horrible to describe clearly as a thing .

If you say that something is the thing, you mean that it is fashionable or popular.

In all things means in every situation and at all times.

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.

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.

If you say that something is the done thing, you mean it is the most socially acceptable way to behave.

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.

If you have a thing about someone or something, you have very strong feelings about them.

You say it is a good thing to do something to introduce a piece of advice or a comment on a situation or activity.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you say it is just one of those things you mean that you cannot explain something because it seems to happen by chance.

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.

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.

If something is a thing of the past, it no longer exists or happens, or is being replaced by something new.

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.

You can say there is no such thing as something to emphasize that it does not exist or is not possible.

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.

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.

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.