English Reference
Idiom idiom

thick of things


A central or major role in a situation; a position in which one is surrounded by or very involved in complex, changing events.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

I like being in the thick of things at work.

CONTEXTUAL

She moved to the city to be in the thick of things during the festival.

COMPLEX

By choosing to lead the project, he placed himself in the thick of things just as the crisis began to unfold.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all things considered

    Generally speaking; in terms of the big picture.

  2. 02

    all things to all people

    Someone or something that entirely satisfies the expectations of everyone, no matter how diverse and conflicting those expectations may be.

  3. 03

    blood is thicker than water

    Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.

  4. 04

    come thick and fast

    To arrive rapidly in large groups.

  5. 05

    finer things

    That which is considered of a high quality, expensive or tasteful.

  6. 06

    hear things

    To imagine that one hears sounds that are not actually real; to have auditory hallucinations.

  7. 07

    lay it on thick

    To exaggerate or overstate a feeling or emotion.

  8. 08

    leave things alone

    Synonym of let it be.

Last updated August 10, 2026