have a good thing going

have a good thing going

To be in a favorable situation, often financially. He doesn't need to work because he has a good thing going with all his rental properties. You certainly seem to have a good thing going here. Business is booming! I really had a good thing going with John, but I wrecked it when I drunkenly kissed Mike on a night out.

See also: going, good, have, thing

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

have a good thing going

to have something of an ongoing nature arranged for one's own benefit. Sally paints pictures and sells them at art fairs. She has a good thing going, and she makes good money. John inherited a fortune and doesn't have to work for a living anymore. He's got a good thing going.

See also: going, good, have, thing

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

have a good thing going

Have matters arranged to one's benefit or profit. For example, Joe's got a good thing going with this new franchise. It also may be put as make a good thing of, meaning "make something work to one's benefit," as in If we work hard we can make a good thing of this job. The first term dates from the second half of the 1900s, the second from the early 1800s. Also see have going for one.

See also: going, good, have, thing

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.