the thing is

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the thing is

The main or fundamental issue or element (of what's being discussed). I agree with your point, but the thing is, if we agree to increase spending for education, then all sorts of other public utilities will go underfunded as a result.

the thing is

The issue, main point, or problem is, as in The thing is, we haven't enough money for the tickets. [Colloquial; late 1800s]

the ˌthing (about/with something) ˈis

(spoken) used to introduce an important fact, reason or explanation: I know you want to expand the business. The thing is, we haven’t got the money to do that. ♢ I’m sorry I didn’t call you. The thing is, I’ve been really busy lately.

See also: thing

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the street
the streets are paved with gold
the strong, silent type
the sun belt
the sun is over the yardarm
the sweat of (one's) brow
the sweet hereafter
the sweet smell of success
the sweet smell of victory
the sweet spot
the swing of things
the sword of Damocles hangs over (one's) (head)
the Sword of Damocles hangs over someone
the tables are turned
the tail end
the tail end of something
the tail wagging the dog
the tail wags the dog
the talk of the town
the terrible twos
the terrorists will have won
the the better
the thick of something
the thin end of the wedge
the thing
the thing is
the thing is...
the thing of it is
the thinking man's/women's crumpet
the third degree
the three Rs
the three R's
the throne
the thumbs up/down
the tide turns
the time is ripe
the time of (one's) life
the time of your life
the tip of an iceberg
the tip of the iceberg
the toast of (some place)
the toast of (the town)
the tools of the trade
the tools of the/(one's) trade
the tools of the/your trade
the top (five, ten, twenty, etc.)
the top brass
the top dog
the top flight
the top of the heap
the top of the hour
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The theory of "Jesus"
The theory of 'Maternal Deprivation'
The theory of 'Maternal Deprivation'
The Theory of Artificial Intelligence
The Theory of Artificial Intelligence
The Theory of Artificial Intelligence
The Theory of Artificial Intelligence
The Theory of Artificial Intelligence
The theory of human evolution
The Theory of Island Biogeography
The Theory of the Firm
the thick end
the thick end
the thick end
the thick end
The Thick of It
The Thick of It
the thick of something
the thick of things
The Thief in the Night
The Thin Blue Line
The thin end of the wedge
the thin section
The Thing
The Thing
The Thing
The Thing
The Thing
The Thing
The Thing from Another World
the thing is
the thing is ...
the thing is ...
the thing is ...
the thing is...
the thing is…
the thing of dreams
the thing of her dreams
the thing of his dreams
the thing of it is
the thing of my dreams
the thing of one's dreams
the thing of our dreams
the thing of their dreams
the thing of your dreams
The Thing Speaks for Itself
The Thing Speaks for Itself
The Thing Speaks for Itself
The Thing Speaks for Itself
the thing to do
the thing was
the thing was
the thing was
the thinking man's crumpet
the thinking man's/women's crumpet
the thinking man'woman's crumpet
the thinking woman's crumpet
the third degree
The Third Ear
The Third Manifesto
The Third Reich
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