Phrase guide

one of those things

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

An unfortunate, but unavoidable, event.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, no-plural

Qualifier: often preceded by just

Examples

  • It was just one of those things: I spent an hour in traffic and then found that the shop was closed.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A strange or surprising event for which an explanation is unavailable or not worth pursuing.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, no-plural

Qualifier: often preceded by just

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

2 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 不可避免的事 (bùkěbìmiǎn de shì) — unfortunate but unavoidable event
  • Finnish: huonoa tuuria — unfortunate but unavoidable event