Have a thing about Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhæv/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈθɪŋ/ /əˈbaʊt

HAV uh THING uh-BOWT

UK

hæv/ /æɪ/ /θˈɪŋ/ /ɐbˈaʊt

hav uh THING uh-BOWT

Definition

To have strong feelings, either positive or negative, about something, often in an unusual or exaggerated way. It can mean being obsessed, very fond of, or having an irrational dislike for something.

Usage & Nuances

Informal, conversational; often used when someone feels unreasonably strong about something (positively or negatively). Commonly heard as 'I have a thing about...' or 'She has a thing about...'. Not literal—often means an obsession, phobia, or quirky preference.

• Spanish: tener algo con - tener una obsesión (con) - tener manía (por)
• Portuguese (BR): ter mania de - não gostar de (em excesso) - gostar muito de
• Portuguese (PT): ter uma mania com - embirrar com - adorar (de maneira incomum)
• Chinese (Simplified): 对……特别在意 - 对……有特殊情结
• Chinese (Traditional): 對……特別在意 - 對……有特殊情結
• Hindi: के बारे में अजीब भावनाएँ होना - किसी चीज़ के लिए झुकाव या नफरत रखना
• Arabic: لديه هوس بـ - لديه عقدة تجاه
• Bengali: ঝোঁক থাকা - অতিরিক্ত ভালোবাসা বা অপছন্দ থাকা
• Russian: питать слабость (к чему-то) - иметь навязчивую идею - иметь предубеждение
• Japanese: こだわりがある - （に）強い思いがある
• Vietnamese: có ác cảm với - rất thích - bị ám ảnh bởi
• Korean: ~에 집착하다 - ~에 유난히 민감하다
• Turkish: takıntısı olmak - aşırı düşkün olmak
• Urdu: خاص لگاؤ ہونا - جنون کی حد تک پسند یا ناپسند کرنا
• Indonesian: ám ảnh với - rất thích - có thành kiến với

Example Sentences

She has a thing about spiders and can't go near them.

basic

I have a thing about being on time.

basic

He has a thing about messy rooms.

basic

I don't know why, but I have a thing about blue cars—they just bug me.

natural

Ever since that night, I've had a thing about dark alleys.

natural

My dad has a thing about washing his hands—a total germ freak.

natural