the real thing
The genuine or authentic person or thing; the most pure or untainted example of a type of person or thing. You have to be careful in these market bazaars that what you're buying is the real thing and not some cheap imitation. Though many had their doubts about her dedication to the cause, the party's new leader has proven herself to be the real thing.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
real thing
something that is genuine and not an imitation. I don't want frozen yogurt, I want the real thing! Yes, ice cream! She hates plastic that looks like wood. She wants the real thing.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
the real thing
COMMON If you describe something as the real thing, you mean that it is the thing itself, rather than a copy or something made to seem similar. The fake handbags sell for about $20 less than the real thing. The Blairgowrie Highland Games are the real thing rather than a media event.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
the real thing
a thing that is absolutely genuine or authentic. informalFarlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
the real ˈthing
(informal) the genuine thing: Are you sure it’s the real thing (= love), not just infatuation? ♢ Synthetic diamonds don’t have the quality of the real thing.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017