"look at that metal rail thing over there"

• personal belongings or clothing

  "she began to unpack her things"

• equipment, utensils, or other objects used for a particular purpose

  "they cleared away the lunch things"

• anything (used for emphasis)

  "she couldn't find a thing to wear"

• used to express one's disapproval of or contempt for something

  "you won't find me smoking those filthy things"

• all that can be described in the specified way

  "his love for all things English"

• used euphemistically to refer to a man's penis

"I'm not a thing, not a work of art to be cherished"

• a living creature or plant

  "the sea is the primal source of all living things on earth"

• used to express one's feelings of pity, affection, approval, or contempt for a person or animal

  "have a nice weekend in the country, you lucky thing!"

"she said the first thing that came into her head"

• circumstances or matters that are unspecified

  "things haven't gone entirely to plan"

• an abstract entity, quality, or concept

  "mourning and depression are not the same thing"

• an example or type of something

  "the game is the latest thing in family fun"

• a situation or activity of a specified type or quality

  "your being here is just a friendship thing, OK?"

• a romantic or sexual relationship

  "Phil and Lisa had been having a thing"

• an established or genuine phenomenon or practice (typically used in expressions registering surprise or incredulity)

  "according to media reports, sleep texting is now a thing among serious smartphone addicts"

"you need a tonic—and here's just the thing"

• what is socially acceptable or fashionable

  "it wouldn't be quite the thing to go to a royal garden party in wellies"

"reading isn't my thing"

"the thing is, I am going to sell this house"