{
    "term": "thing",
    "partOfSpeech": "noun",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a1",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "an object whose name you do not use because you do not need to or want to, or because you do not know it",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Can you pass me that thing over there?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She's very fond of sweet things *(= sweet foods)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He's just bought one of those exercise things."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Turn that thing off while I'm talking to you!"
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["basic", "essential"],
                "verb + thing": ["make"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "an object that is not alive in the way that people and plants are",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Don't treat her like that—she's a person, not a thing!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "He's good at making things with his hands."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She took no interest in the people and things around her."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Books may one day become **a thing of the past** *(= something that no longer exists)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I need to buy a few basic things like bread and milk."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["basic", "essential"],
                "verb + thing": ["make"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "objects, clothing or tools that belong to somebody or are used for a particular purpose",
            "labels": "(rather informal)",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Shall I help you pack your things?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Bring your swimming things with you."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'll just clear away the breakfast things."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Put your things *(= coat, etc.)* on and let's go."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Come on kids, get your things together—we're going."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Hang on a second—I'll just take off my painting things."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He hadn't washed up the dinner things yet."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["breakfast", "lunch", "etc."],
                "verb + things": ["get together", "pack", "put on"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "a fact, an event, a situation or an action; what somebody says or thinks",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "They talked about many things, like books, music and films."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are a lot of things she doesn't know about me."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There's another thing I need to tell you."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Bad **things happen** to good people."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I've got lots of **things to do** today."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He **has things on his mind**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The most **important thing** in life is to have fun!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She said **the first thing** that came into her head."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Forgetting her was the only thing in the world I found I couldn't do."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He found **the whole thing** *(= the situation)* very boring."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Let's forget **the whole thing** *(= everything)*."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**Among other things**, I have to deal with mail and keep the accounts."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I like camping, climbing and **that sort of thing**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘Why did you tell her our secret?’ ‘I did **no such thing**!’"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There's **no such thing as** a typical day in this job."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**One thing is for sure**—it will be a memorable evening!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**The main thing** to remember is to switch off the burglar alarm."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There's another thing I'd like to ask you."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Advertising on blogs is going to be the next big thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Apologizing is never the easiest thing to do."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Calling a doctor seemed the logical thing to do."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Entertaining people is the most natural thing in the world for her."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He has a funny way of doing things."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He loses his temper at the slightest thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I admit it was a foolish thing to do."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I did all the right things but I couldn't get the engine to start."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I did my usual thing of losing my keys."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I marched into his office to get a few things straight."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I've better things to do than stand here chatting all day!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "If she works hard she's capable of great things."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's impossible to get things done when you're looking after a baby."
                },
                {
                    "text": "One thing led to another and we ended up dating."
                },
                {
                    "text": "People defraud their companies every day, but Mike would never do such a thing!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She helped with the everyday things like shopping and cooking."
                },
                {
                    "text": "That wasn't a very smart thing to do!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The amazing thing is, he wouldn't accept any money!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The best thing about Alan is he's always honest."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The last thing she wanted was to upset her parents."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are some weird things going on in that house."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We chatted about school, but I could tell she had other things on her mind."
                },
                {
                    "text": "What's the next thing you want me to do?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "There's another thing I'd like to ask you."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The key thing is to remain calm."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Who's been saying things about me?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Try to look on your rejection as a positive thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Too much studying can be a bad thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There are plenty of things to say about it."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The pay cut was just a taste of things to come."
                },
                {
                    "text": "That was a horrible thing to say to her."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Jack knows a thing or two about kids—he has five."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's such a small thing to ask."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I wanted to be a musician, but teaching music is the next best thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I give thanks for every little thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's just a practice, not the real thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He's the nearest thing to a film star I've ever met."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["good", "great", "positive"],
                "… of things": ["loads", "lots", "plenty"],
                "verb + thing": ["do", "make up", "say"],
                "thing + verb": ["go on", "happen", "occur"],
                "preposition": ["thing about"],
                "phrases": [
                    "among other things",
                    "have better things to do",
                    "kind/​sort of thing"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "the general situation, as it affects somebody",
            "labels": "(rather informal)(informal)",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Things haven't gone entirely to plan."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I wish things could have been different."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Hi, Jane! **How are things**?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "**As things stand** at present, he seems certain to win."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**All things considered** *(= considering all the difficulties or problems)*, she's done very well."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They're trying to **change things** for the better."
                },
                {
                    "text": "**Things have changed** over the last few years."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He's happy with the way things have worked out."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Why do you make things so difficult for yourself?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Think things over before you decide."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Don't worry about it—just let things take their course."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He apologized, and asked for a chance to put things right."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He offered to help, but she assured him she had things in hand."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Her apology only served to make things worse."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I have to work things out my own way."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I just don't know if things are going to work out."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I want to get things sorted out before I go away."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm sure things will turn out OK."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She'd started the term studying hard, but now was beginning to let things slip."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Sorry, I didn't mean to complicate things."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There was a week to go to the deadline and things were looking good."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They hired temporary staff to keep things going over the summer."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Things came to a head when money was found to be missing from the account."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Things looked bleak for the future of the factory."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Try not to let things get to you."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Try to look at things from my point of view."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We arranged to meet and talk things over."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We were in trouble but now things are looking up."
                },
                {
                    "text": "You should suggest changes, rather than accept things as they are."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "verb + things": ["think over/​through", "look at", "see"],
                "things + verb": ["stand", "be going", "change"],
                "phrases": [
                    "all things being equal",
                    "other things being equal",
                    "all things considered"
                ]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "a quality or a concept",
            "cefr": "a1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Reality and truth are **not the same thing**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The two of them have one thing in common—they never give up."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The **good thing** about this job is all the travelling."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "what is needed or socially acceptable",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You need something to cheer you up—I know just the thing!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "to say the right/wrong thing"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The **best thing** to do is to apologize."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He did the decent thing and resigned."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He did the right thing and went back to his wife."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She always manages to say the wrong thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Iced tea—the very thing!"
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["proper", "right", "wrong"],
                "verb + thing": ["do", "say"],
                "phrases": ["just the thing", "not quite the thing"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 8,
            "definition": "used to say that something is important or real",
            "labels": "(informal, humorous)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I don't understand why these corny films are still a thing in 2020."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm not sure that ‘modular techno music’ is really a thing."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 9,
            "definition": "used with negatives to mean ‘anything’ in order to emphasize what you are saying",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I haven't got a thing to wear!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "She hasn't had a thing to eat all day."
                },
                {
                    "text": "There wasn't a thing we could do to help."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Ignore what he said—it **doesn't mean a thing**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I'm going to arrive early because I don't want to miss a thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I can't see a thing without my glasses."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Nobody said a thing when he appeared with a wig on."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She's tricked you, and you can't do a thing about it."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "verb + a thing": ["hear", "know", "notice"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 10,
            "definition": "all that can be described in a particular way",
            "labels": "(formal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She loves all things Japanese."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 11,
            "definition": "a living creature",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "All living things are composed of cells."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 12,
            "definition": "used to talk to or about a person or an animal, to show how you feel about them",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You silly thing!"
                },
                {
                    "text": "You must be starving, you poor things."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The cat's very ill, poor old thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The baby's a pretty little thing."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "adjective": ["little", "pretty", "sweet"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "if the conditions stay the same; if other conditions are the same",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "All things being equal, we should finish the job tomorrow."
                },
                {
                    "text": "All other things being equal, the bigger fighter should win."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used when you do not want to complete a list",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She likes nice clothes and things like that."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I've been busy shopping and things."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "as was shown or proved by later events",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I didn't need my umbrella, as it turned out *(= because it didn't rain)*."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "as was shown or proved by later events",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "As things turned out, the weather—and the whole weekend—were perfect."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "to please everyone by changing your attitudes or opinions to suit different people",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "to be understood or used in different ways by different people",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be socially acceptable behaviour",
            "labels": "(British English)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be lucky that…",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It's a good thing we got here early."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's a good thing you remembered to turn off the gas!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that although something seems to be bad, it could have good results",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We didn't want the press to get hold of the story, but it might be no bad thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's no bad thing to express your anger."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to have found a job, situation or style of life that is pleasant or easy",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to imagine that you can see or hear something that is in fact not there",
            "labels": "(informal, humorous)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "people say chance would be a fine thing to show that they would like to do or have the thing that somebody has mentioned, but that they do not think that it is very likely",
            "labels": "(British English, informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a situation in which somebody only just wins or loses, for example in a competition or an election",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Mr Taylor’s election defeat was a close-run thing."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The invasion never happened but it was a close-run thing."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a situation in which success or failure is equally possible",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We got him out in the end, but it was a close thing."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Success", "Difficulty and failure"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to have the same result or meaning",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to do what you want to do or what interests you, without thinking about other people; to be independent",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to have a powerful emotional effect on somebody",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "That song just does things to me."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "early in the morning/late in the evening",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I need the report on my desk first thing Monday morning."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I took the dog for a walk last thing before going to bed."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "the most important matters must be dealt with first",
            "labels": "(often humorous)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We have a lot to discuss, but, first things first, let's have a cup of coffee!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to introduce one of two or more possible reasons for doing something",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "‘Why don't you get a car?’ ‘Well, for one thing, I can't drive!’"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to have something arranged in the way that you want, even though other people want it to be arranged differently",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The German team weren't going to let the English have everything their own way."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to have a strong like or dislike of somebody/something in a way that seems strange or unreasonable",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She has a thing about men with beards."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Preferences and decisions"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to be sexually attracted to somebody; to like something very much",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Liz has always had a thing for guys in bands."
                },
                {
                    "text": "He has a thing for the new girl in the office."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Jamie has a thing for fast cars."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Feelings"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "in the way that things usually happen",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "In the nature of things, young people often rebel against their parents."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "B is very different from A, for example it is more difficult, serious or important",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Romance is one thing; marriage is quite another."
                },
                {
                    "text": "It's one thing to tease your sister, but it's another to hit her."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "it isn’t something that you really enjoy or are interested in",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "it is something that only a particular group understands",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You wouldn't know what it means—it's a girl thing."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to know/tell somebody some useful, interesting or surprising information about somebody/something",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She's been married five times, so she knows a thing or two about men!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to make something seem more important than it really is",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a situation in which you are successful, but which could also have ended badly",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Phew! That was a near thing! It could have been a disaster."
                },
                {
                    "text": "We won in the end but it was a near thing."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Success"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a person or thing that people think will be very popular or successful soon",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She has been talked up as the next big thing in British tennis."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Everyone is trying to guess what the next big thing in street fashion is going to be."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to know nothing at all about something/somebody",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "We’ve lived next to him for years, but we still don’t know the first thing about him."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "not considered socially acceptable",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It wouldn't be quite the thing to turn up in running gear."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that you do not want to discuss or think about something bad or unpleasant that has happened, but just accept it",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "It wasn't your fault. It was just one of those things."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to complain that a lot of unpleasant things keep happening to you",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to suggest that the way one event or action leads to others is so obvious that it does not need to be stated",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He offered me a ride home one night, and, well, one thing led to another and now we're married!"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used before mentioning a worry or problem you have with something",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I'd love to come—the only thing is I might be late."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to work, study, etc. too hard or for too long",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He's been overdoing things recently."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I overdid it in the gym and hurt my back."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to take a risk because you have successfully avoided problems in the past",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You didn't get caught last time, but don't push your luck!"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Danger"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to take a risk because you have successfully avoided problems in the past",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Don't push things—we don't want it all to go wrong now."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Danger"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "actually what somebody claims that something is",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Are you sure it's the real thing *(= love)*, not just infatuation?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "the way things seem to be organized; the way somebody wants everything to be organized",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "My personal problems are not really important in the **overall scheme of things**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "This small annoyance isn't much in the **grand scheme of things**."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I don't think marriage figures in his scheme of things."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "the way things are likely to develop in the future",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Are solar-powered cars the shape of things to come?"
                },
                {
                    "text": "This new system could be the shape of things to come."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say ‘yes’ to a suggestion or request",
            "labels": "(informal, especially North American English)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "‘Are you coming?’ ‘Sure thing.’"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Suggestions and advice"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to relax and avoid working too hard or doing too much",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The doctor told me to take it easy for a few weeks."
                },
                {
                    "text": "I like to take things easy when I’m on holiday."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to not think about what will happen in the future",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I don't know if he'll get better. We're just taking it one day at a time."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to not think about what will happen in the future",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I don't know if he'll get better. We're just taking things one day at a time."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "there is only one possible course of action",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that you should accept an unpleasant situation or event because you cannot change it",
            "labels": "(saying)",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "a situation or an activity of the type mentioned",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She really didn't want to be involved in the whole family thing."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to introduce an important fact, reason or explanation",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I'm sorry my assignment isn't finished. The thing is, I've had a lot of other work this week."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to introduce a problem about something/somebody",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The thing with Karl is, he's always late."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to refer to ghosts and other supernatural things that cannot be explained",
            "labels": "(informal, humorous)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "There are mysterious lights in the sky and things that go bump in the night."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to do what people or society expect, especially in a difficult situation",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He did the decent thing and resigned."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "used to say that, although something is pleasant, you do not want to have too much of it",
            "examples": []
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "because you have been busy with various problems, events or things you had to do",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I completely forgot her birthday, what with one thing and another."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to arrange something in a particular way, especially by being clever",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Can you work it so that we get free tickets?"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to arrange something in a particular way, especially by being clever",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Can you work things so that we get Friday afternoon off?"
                }
            ]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/θɪŋ/",
                "audio": "th/thing/thing__gb_1.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/θɪŋ/",
                "audio": "th/thing/thing__us_1.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English, of Germanic origin; related to German Ding. Early senses included ‘meeting’ and ‘matter, concern’ as well as ‘inanimate object’."
}