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That's the Thing

What Does "That's the Thing" Mean?

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"That's the thing" is an English idiom. It is an introductory phrase used to lead into an explanation, clarification, or description of a specific point or issue.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "that's the thing" used in a sentence:
  • You see, that's the thing—I can't make it to the party because of a prior commitment.
  • That's the thing about this software—it's user-friendly and efficient.
  • The challenge is, that's the thing, we don't have enough resources to complete the project on time.
meaning for that's the thing

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "That's the Thing" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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