announcement of refusal of a request: Then my girl asked me to marry her. I told her there was nothing doing . 2. used as a declaration of failure in an attempt: I tried to find her a place to stay. But there was nothing doing in Rummidge that night. 3. no business is going on; things are very quiet: Mr. Winder is Justice of the Peace of Cedarville township, but says there is “nothing doing ” in his court these days. there is nothing to be done—there is nothing that one can do about a situation: There is nothing to be done about pre- venting other tragedies like this one, nothing that the ordinary citizen can do. there is nothing for it • there is nothing in it • there is nothing to it there is nothing for it—there is no other choice but to take a particular action: There was nothing for it now except to go straight ahead with the plan. there is nothing in it—1. there is no significant difference between the people or things in question: The choice lies between Jones and Evans, and as far as their respective qual- ifications go, there’s nothing in it . 2. (of a story, accusation, etc.) it is not true: There is nothing in it ; the whole story is an absolute invention. there is nothing to it—1. it is very easy (of smth. that seems to demand skill): I’ll teach Jenny how to ride a bicycle. There’s nothing to it . 2. = there is nothing in it 2: If he’s guilty I’ll hound him out of baseball. But I’ve got to know first, and I’m betting there’s nothing to it . thick as herrings • thin as a herring thick as herrings—said of a great number of people, espe- cially when crammed in a small area (also: thick as hops): Our position was in the center, on which the natives most politely avoided any sort of crowding, although behind they were packed as thick as herrings . Note: a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase thick as thieves—(also: thick as peas in a shell) used of people who are intimate or very friendly (often showing dis- approval): Right from the start it was obvious they were as “thick as thieves ,” one always keeping an eye on the other. b) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase thick as hail—(of darts, bullets, etc.) following each other in quick succession: The English archers poured upon them their deadly arrows in flights thick as hail . c) The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase thick as two short planks—(also: thick as a plank) very stupid: Some of our greatest and richest superstars have been as thick as two short planks . thin as a herring —used of a very thin person: He was a very small, dapper man, as thin as a herring , with projecting teeth and a huge drooping many-curled wig… thick as pea soup • thick as peas in a shell thick as pea soup —(of fog or liquid) very dense; concentrated: Wow, this coffee is strong! It’s thick as pea soup . thick as peas in a shell —(also: thick as peas in a pod) intimate or very friendly: Sam had had a game of billiards with the Baron, and they were as thick as peas in a shell . thick end of the stick, the • thin end of the wedge, the thick end of the stick, the—(also: short end of the stick, the) the disadvantage in a bargain, contest, etc.: Don’t be cocky: producers always hold the thick end of the stick and you should know that. thin end of the wedge, the —(also: small end of the wedge, the) a modest beginning which may lead to smth. greater: It is the thin end of the wedge —they will contaminate our agriculture and that contamination will self-perpetuate as time goes on. thick on someone • thick with someone thick on someone—(coll.) somewhat burdensome on a per- son: I don’t grudge him the time off, but it’s a bit thick on me, having to do all his work. thick with someone—(coll.) intimate or very friendly with a person: Your Johnny seems very thick with that ginger-headed boy. thick tea • thin tea thick tea —1. strong, concentrated tea: He poured two mugs of thick tea and slowly shambled back to his sitting room. 2. (UK dated) an early evening tea with a full meal (as a substitute for dinner): The “thick teas ” of Lancashire have long been cel- ebrated for their eccentricity. thin tea—weak, watery tea: She left the crib and sat at the table where she poured herself a cup of thin tea . thin on the ground • thin on top thin on the ground—said of smth. not numerous and there- fore hard to find: Pheasants are thin on the ground late December and I don’t usually shoot them this late. thin on top —said of smb. having little hair left on his head: When I was at my twenties, I had good-looking hair, but now I am quite a bit thin on top . think again • think twice think again—(also: have another think coming) revise one’s plans or opinions because they may be wrong: Those who think that the trade union movement should take a back seat in the Labor movement should think again . think twice —use careful consideration; avoid hasty action or conclusion: She had seen that he was in trouble and she had given help without thinking twice . See also: give it a second thought / have second thoughts. think better of someone • think better of something think better of someone—(also: think the better of someone) form a higher opinion of a person: Surely no one could think better of Jason for the quoted remarks? think better of something—change one’s mind with regard to smth.: Two years into his residency, Jadali thought better of his decision to become an internist. think much about something • think much of something think much about something—have the mind preoccupied with smth.: No one had taught her this, but she was a woman who thought much about God. think much of something—1. = think much about something: He thought much of the evils of the journey for her, and not a little of the fatigues of his own horses. 2. (usually negat.) regard smth. as important; value or esteem smth. highly: He gives very good dinners, but I don’t think much of his cellar. think of something • think over something think of something —(also: think about something ) 1. concen- trate one’s attention on smth.; reflect on smth.: I kept thinking of Spain since that’s where we were supposed to go on tour. 2. regard smth. as having a particular quality or purpose: We still tend to think of computers as powerful calculators, skilled at mathematical processes. 3. remember smth.; call smth. to mind: He often thought of the old farm where he lived before being sent to England. think over something—give smth. careful consideration before making a decision, etc.: When he would not take a refusal, I begged him to give me twenty four hours for think - ing over the question. – 321 – think of something