# or something

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/or-something
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Or something like that. Used to indicate the possibility that the preceding word or phrase is vague or not exactly correct in its applicability.

## Examples

- Are you hungry, or something?
- You should wear a suit or something to the wedding.
- Did you lose your keys or something?
- I think he was angry or something, because he left the party without saying goodbye.
- The engine started making a loud clicking sound or something, so I pulled the car over to check the oil.
- We need to find a screwdriver or something to open this battery cover before the remote dies completely.
- She seemed to be implying that the project was a failure, or something of that nature, though she never stated it directly.

## Origin

From the late 16th century, the term is a linguistic ellipsis, a grammatical omission of specific nouns or phrases that the speaker deems understood by the listener. It serves as a placeholder for a following set of possibilities, functioning as an indicator that the preceding thought is illustrative rather than exhaustive.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.