those (redirected from that)

along those lines and along these lines; along similar lines

similarly; in nearly the same way. We will deal with the other students along similar lines.

See also: along, line

and those and and them

Rur. and some other people; and other friends or family members. But if we invite Jill, Mary and them will want to come. Jim and those was sayin' nasty things about me.

See also: and

God helps them that help themselves. and God helps those who help themselves.

Prov. You cannot depend solely on divine help, but must work yourself to get what you want. You can't spend your days waiting for a good job to find you. God helps those that help themselves. If you want a better education, start studying. God helps those who help themselves.

See also: god, help, them, themselves

God takes soonest those he loveth best.

Prov. Good people often die young. The minister told the boy's grieving parents that God takes soonest those he loveth best. It may seem to us that Nancy was too young to die, but God takes soonest those he loveth best.

See also: best, god, soon, take

in those parts

Rur. around there; in that area. I've got a cousin who lives in those parts. We used to spend our vacations in those parts.

See also: part

It's just one of those things.

It is something that couldn't have been prevented.; It is an unfortunate thing caused by fate. I'm sorry, too. It's not your fault. It's just one of those things. I feel terrible that I didn't pass the bar exam. I guess it was just one of those things.

See also: just, one, thing

The gods send nuts to those who have no teeth.

Prov. People often get good fortune that is no use to them. Soon after Melissa lost her hearing, she won season tickets to the symphony. The gods send nuts to those who have no teeth.

See also: god, have, nuts, send, teeth, who

There's none so blind as those who will not see.

Prov. You cannot make someone pay attention to something that he or she does not want to notice. (Used often to upbraid someone for being unwilling to notice what you are trying call attention to.) Mother: This is the fifth time our daughter has been arrested for shoplifting. Don't you think we ought to seek some kind of help for her? Father: Our girl would never shoplift. I'm sure all those arrests were just some kind of mistake. Mother: There's none so blind as those who will not see. By October, it was obvious to everyone that Richard was coming in drunk every morning. Obvious, that is, except to his devoted secretary; there's none so blind as those who will not see.

See also: blind, none, see, who

There's none so deaf as those who will not hear.

Prov. If you tell someone something that he or she does not want to know, he or she will not pay attention to you. I tried repeatedly to tell my supervisor about the low morale in our department, but there's none so deaf as those who will not hear.

See also: deaf, hear, none, who

Those were the days.

Cliché The days we have been referring to were the greatest of times. Ah, yes. The eighties. Those were the days! Those were the days. Back when people knew right from wrong.

See also: days

Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.

Prov. People who are able to do something well can do that thing for a living, while people who are not able to do anything that well make a living by teaching. (Used to disparage teachers. From George Bernard Shaw's Man and Superman.) Bob: I'm so discouraged. My writing teacher told me my novel is hopeless. Jane: Don't listen to her, Bob. Remember: those who can, do; those who can't, teach.

See also: teach, who

---

along the lines of something   also along those lines

similar in type I can't remember exactly what words he used but it was something along those lines. I was thinking of doing a dinner party along the lines of that meal I cooked for Annie and Dave.

See get lines crossed, be on the right lines, read between the lines

See also: along, line

It's just one of those things.

something that you say when you are talking about a bad event or situation that you cannot prevent or change Everyone gets ill in the winter. It's just one of those things.

See also: just, one, thing

Those were the days!

something that you say which means life was better at the time in the past that you are talking about We had no money but we were young and madly in love. Oh, those were the days!

---

along the lines of something

similar to something I think my point is very much along the lines of things that I heard Steve and Ana suggest.

See also: along, line

along those lines also along these lines

1. of a similar quality or type I want to buy an SUV or something along those lines.

2. in this way What evidence do we have that Adams is willing to sign an agreement along these lines?

See also: along, line

just one of those things (spoken)

something that happens unexpectedly I couldn't keep the dog from running toward the car. It was just one of those things.

See also: just, one, thing

one of those days

a bad day not your day I missed breakfast, got to work late, and got caught in the rain at lunchtime - it was just one of those days!

Usage notes: often used in the phrase it was just one of those days with the same meaning

See also: days, one

those were the days

life was better in the past The band’s new songs are nowhere near as good as their ’80s tunes. Man, those were the days.

Usage notes: used for emphasis when talking about something particular in the past

See also: days