one of those things
noun phrase
informal
—used to refer to a bad or unfortunate experience that happened and to say that such experiences can happen to anyone
I missed the train and had to take a later one. It was just one of those things, I guess.
Examples of one of those things in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Opuntia cactus fruits, also known as prickly pears, are one of those things best enjoyed in their purest form, according to Johnny Ortiz‑Concha of / Shed in Taos, New Mexico.
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Johnny Ortiz-Concha, Saveur, 10 July 2025
Just another one of those things that are, or were, the case, like everything else.
—Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
That Mariska Hargitay is the daughter of Jayne Mansfield is one of those things everyone who knows anything about either of them seems to know — in some cases maybe the only thing.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Some things in life are mood enhancing and for me one of those things are narrowing down the products that will make it in my suitcase for my summer excursions.
—Samantha Mims, Essence, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for one of those things
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Johnny Ortiz-Concha, Saveur, 10 July 2025
Just another one of those things that are, or were, the case, like everything else.
—Zadie Smith, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
That Mariska Hargitay is the daughter of Jayne Mansfield is one of those things everyone who knows anything about either of them seems to know — in some cases maybe the only thing.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025
Some things in life are mood enhancing and for me one of those things are narrowing down the products that will make it in my suitcase for my summer excursions.
—Samantha Mims, Essence, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for one of those things
Cite this Entry
“One of those things.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one%20of%20those%20things. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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