the thing of it

English

Pronunciation

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Noun

the thing of it

1. (idiomatic, colloquial) The important point to consider.
   • 1855, Azel Stevens Roe, A long look ahead; or, The first stroke and the last:

     But the thing of it is, when to begin

   • 1997, Youth and Violence.: Developing Local & State Solutions:

     But the thing of it is, everybody was rooting for the other individual and I was the only one rooting for him.

Usage notes

In casual speech, and occasionally in casual writing, the verb be following this phrase is doubled, as "The thing of it is, is ..." or "The thing of it was, was ..."