English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
If it’s not one thing, it’s the other
Meaning
The idiom "if it’s not one thing, it’s the other" means that something is happening or going wrong, but it's not exactly clear what the problem is or what is causing it. It suggests that things are constantly changing or shifting, and that there is no single cause or solution to the issue at hand.
Usage
- The weather forecast for the weekend was not one thing - it was raining, then sunny, then raining again.
- My boss has been asking me a lot of questions lately, and I'm not sure what she wants from me. If it’s not one thing, it’s another.
- I've been trying to fix my car for weeks now, but every time I think I've found the problem, something else goes wrong. It's like if it’s not one thing, it’s the other.
- My friend has been having trouble with her relationship lately, and she can't decide whether it's because he's not romantic enough or because he's too controlling. If it’s not one thing, it’s the other.
- The city council has been debating the construction of a new shopping center for years now, but there are always some residents who oppose it, and it seems like they have a different reason every time. It's like if it’s not one thing, it’s the other.
Roots and History
The idiom "if it’s not one thing, it’s the other" is an English expression that has been in use for at least 200 years. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the first recorded use of this phrase was in 1847 by William Dickens in his novel "A Child's History of England." The idiom became more popular in the 19th century and is still widely used today.
Synonyms in English
- If it’s not this, it’s that
- If it isn't one thing, it's another
- If it isn't one thing, it's another thing
Synonyms in other languages
- ものがうちにいたから (Japanese): This phrase means that multiple things are happening or going wrong at the same time. It is similar to the English idiom "if it’s not one thing, it’s the other" and is commonly used in Japanese conversation.
- فيلدارين الى كل مجلس (Persian): This phrase means that things are constantly changing or shifting, and there is no single cause or solution to the issue at hand. It is a common expression in Persian culture and is often used to describe complex situations.
- حتَيَا لَو كُن بِشِرَ عَضَّائِهِ (Arabic): This phrase means that things are always happening, but it's not exactly clear what is going on or what the problem is. It is a common expression in Arabic culture and is often used to describe confusion or uncertainty.
- فيلدارين الى كل مجلس (Persian): This phrase means that things are constantly changing or shifting, and there is no single cause or solution to the issue at hand. It is a common expression in Persian culture and is often used to describe complex situations.
- הבְלַד מִתְּחַסֶּר (Hebrew): This phrase means that things are constantly changing or shifting, and there is no single cause or solution to the issue at hand. It is a common expression in Hebrew culture and is often used to describe confusion or uncertainty.