somethingsome‧thing /ˈsʌmθɪŋ/ ●●● S1 W1 pronoun 
There’s something in my eye. Sarah said something about coming over later.something new/old/good etc It’s a good car, but I’m looking for something newer. The house was too small, so they decided to look for something else (=a different one). I think there’s something wrong (=a problem) with the phone. I don’t know what he does exactly, but I know it has something to do with computers (=is related to them in some way).► see thesaurus at thing2something to eat/drink/read/do etc some food, a drink, a book, an activity etc: Would you like something to drink? I should take something to read on the plane.3do something to do something in order to deal with a problem or difficult situation: Don’t just stand there – do something!something about Can you do something about that noise?4something about somebody/something used to say that a person, situation etc has a quality or feature that you recognize but you cannot say exactly what it is(there is) something different/odd/unusual about somebody/something There was something rather odd about him. There’s something about her voice that I find really sexy.5... or something spoken used when you cannot remember, or do not think it is necessary to give, another example of something you are mentioning: Her name was Judith, or Julie, or something. Here’s some money. Get yourself a sandwich or something.6something like 100/2,000 etc close to but not exactly a large amount such as 100, 2,000 etc: Something like 50,000 homes are without power.7be thirty-something/forty-something etc used to say that someone is aged between 30 and 39, between 40 and 49 etc when you do not know exactly8be (really/quite) something spoken used to say that something is very good and impressive: Running your own company at 21 is really something. That was really something, wasn’t it?9be something else spoken to be unusual or funny to other people: You really are something else!10there’s something in/to something used to admit that someone’s words are true or their ideas are successful etc: They had to concede that there was something in his teaching methods. Do you think there’s something to the rumours about Larry and Sue?11have something of something to have a few of the same features or qualities that someone else has: It was clear that Jenkins had something of his father’s brilliance.12be something of a gardener/an expert etc to know a lot about something or to be very good at something: Charlie’s always been something of an expert on architecture.13something of a shock/surprise etc formal used to say that something is a shock, surprise etc, but not completely or not in a strong or severe way: The news came as something of a surprise.14a little something used when you are telling someone that you have bought them a present: I got you a little something for your birthday.15 sixty something/John something etc spoken used when you cannot remember the rest of a number or name: ‘How much did you spend on groceries?’ ‘A hundred and twenty something.’16make something of yourself to become successful17that’s something used to say that there is one thing that you should be glad about: At least we have some money left. That’s something, isn’t it?
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Come here - I want to show you something.
THESAURUS
used when you do not need to say the name, or when you do not know the name: · What’s that thing on the kitchen table?· Have you got all your things?
a thing – used when you are not sure what the thing is: · There’s something on your shirt.
especially written a solid thing: · a sharp metal object
formal a particular kind of thing, or one of a group of things: · household items· a luxury item· an item of equipment· The items included pieces of old pottery.· You are not allowed to take sharp items onto the plane.
formal a particular kind of thing, or one of a group of things. Article is very formal, and is used especially in the phrase an article of clothing: · They found several articles of clothing in the bushes.· suspicious articles· Each article has a card with it giving more information.
(also artefact) formal an object that someone has made, especially one that is very old and has historical value: · The museum has a collection of early Roman artifacts.
(also thingamajig/thingamabob) spoken informal a thing – used especially when you cannot remember the name of the thing, but often the other person knows what you are talking about: · Can you pass me the thingy?
Longman Language Activatorapproximately a large number or amount · The business is worth something in the region of $25m.· The universe is estimated to be somewhere in the region of eleven billion years old.· A typical price would be somewhere in the region of £2,500 per person.
spoken · Smith is already something like $10,000 in debt.· In the USA something like 4000 such accidents occur each year.
: an estimated 3000 people/one million pounds/90% of profits etc approximately that number or amount - use this when you have no exact or detailed figures on which to calculate the exact number: · The event was seen on television by an estimated 250 million people worldwide.· An estimated 10% of new mothers suffer from severe depression.· By the end of the month an estimated 1000 people had been killed and 42,000 left homeless.
: some 100 people/50 years/2000 establishments etc approximately that number or amount - use this especially when you think it is impressive or surprising: · Among the 11 factory sites across Europe, some 2,600 jobs are to be eliminated this year.· He lectured at the Institut Pasteur for some 50 years.
: 5000 people/20%/9 days etc or more use this when the total may be a lot more, and you want to emphasize that this is a large number or amount: · How can you be tired? You slept for ten hours or more last night.· There were a thousand or more fans at the airport to welcome the band.
to stop working if something goes wrong with a machine, it stops working normally - use this especially about complicated equipment, when you do not know what the problem is: · Who'll fix my computer if something goes wrong?something goes wrong with: · Occasionally something went wrong with the projector and the movie was canceled.· Something's gone wrong with my washing machine.
if a car, bus, train, or large machine breaks down , it stops working completely: · She was late for the meeting because her car broke down.· The elevators in this building are always breaking down.
if a computer crashes , it suddenly stops working, and information is often lost because of this: · I installed the new program and my computer crashed.· Hundreds of hospital records were wiped out when the network crashed.
if an engine cuts out , it suddenly stops working: · Every time Mark slowed down the engine cut out.· I started to go up the hill and the engine just cut out on me.
especially written if a part of a machine or of a piece of electrical equipment fails , it stops working: · The driver of the car claims that his brakes failed and he was unable to stop.· In the last ten minutes of the game, one of the television cameras failed.· One of the engines failed at 30,000 feet.
formal to stop working properly: · This is a sign that the computer's hard disk is malfunctioning.· Both satellites entered orbit but quickly malfunctioned.
British informal if a machine packs up , it stops working, especially because it is old: · When this record player packs up, I'll buy a CD player.· They won't know what to do if a pipe bursts or if the heater packs up.
clothes things that you wear, for example coats, shirts, and dresses: · I need to go buy some new clothes.· The temperature should be around freezing tonight - it's time to get the winter clothes out.· My mother always made us wear our good clothes for travelling.· There are lots of clothes shops on Newbury Street.baby/school/dance etc clothes (=for babies, for school etc): · You can pick up second-hand baby clothes very cheaply.
clothes in general - use this either to talk about a particular type of clothes, or to talk about a large quantity of clothes: · Charities have been delivering food and clothing to the disaster area.warm/light/outdoor etc clothing: · Because of the heat, officials are asking people to wear light, loose-fitting clothing and to drink plenty of water.piece/item/article of clothing (=one thing that you wear, for example a shirt or a dress) formal: · There was nothing in the chest except for a few items of clothing.
spoken clothes, especially clothes for a particular event or occasion : · I must buy something to wear at Julie's wedding.· You're always saying you have nothing to wear, but you've got a whole closet full of clothes. · I can't find anything to wear!
formal a single piece of clothing - used especially by people who make or sell clothes: · The garment industry has grown by 20% in this area in the past five years.· Only two garments may be taken into the changing room.
all the clothes that you own - used especially by people who write about fashion or by people who sell clothes: · Enter our simple fashion quiz and win a whole new wardrobe.· We have everything you need to update your business wardrobe.winter/summer etc wardrobe (=the clothes you have that are suitable to wear in the winter, summer etc): · By adding a few bright buttons or belts to your old clothes you can have a new summer wardrobe.
: evening/casual/sports/children's etc wear the clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity or by a particular group of people - used especially by people who make or sell clothes: · a shop that specializes in evening wear· You'll find a nice range of silk ties in the menswear department on the fourth floor.· The company's line of casual wear is primarily sold in large discount chain stores.
something that people do for enjoyment · What kind of activities do you enjoy?outdoor/indoor activities · Rebecca has always loved hiking and other outdoor activities.leisure/social/cultural etc activities · The retirement home arranges social and cultural activities for its seniors.lay on activities British (=provide them) · In the afternoon, there will be plenty of activities laid on for the kids.
formal things that people do because they enjoy them: leisure/outdoor/artistic etc pursuits: · Her husband never gave her much support in her artistic pursuits.· After he retired, my grandfather was able to devote his time to literary pursuits.
an activity that is pleasant, relaxing and usually not very difficult, that you do when you are not working, because you enjoy it: · Our cat's favourite pastime is sitting at the window and watching the people walk by.· Watching talk shows has become a national pastime in this country.
something that you can do and that will stop you feeling bored when you have nothing to do: · I don't mind helping - it'll give me something to do.· He really needs something to do in his spare time to keep him out of trouble.
something that you do for interest and enjoyment regularly over a long period of time, for example, collecting things or making models: · My hobbies are wind-surfing and playing the guitar.· I never saw my song-writing as anything more than a hobby until recently.
something that you drink something that you drink: · "Would you like a drink?" "Yes, I'll have a lemonade please."· a nice cool drink· She tipped her drink over his head and stormed out.a drink of something: · Give the children a drink of milk and something to eat.food and drink(s): · You can bring your own food and drink to the picnic.· It's under $10 for lunch and drinks at the Ivy Bush.
especially spoken a drink: · I'm really thirsty. Let's stop for something to drink.· Can I get you something to drink?
written a word meaning something that you drink -- used especially in restaurants and by people in the food and drinks business: · Non-alcoholic beverages will be on sale in the foyer.
food what people eat in order to grow and stay alive: · They didn't even have enough money to buy food.· The church program provides food and clothing for the needy.· Juntao refused food as a protest against prison conditions.
especially spoken food, especially a small meal that you eat quickly: · You should have something to eat before you go out.· I'm not hungry -- I had something to eat earlier.· Do you want me to fix you something to eat?
informal also nosh British spoken food: · Where's the grub? I'm starving.· There was plenty of nosh at the party.
the type of food that someone usually eats: · The doctor told him to reduce the amount of fat in his diet.a good/healthy/poor etc diet: · 150,000 Californians die each year from diseases related to a poor diet.balanced diet (=a good mixture of healthy foods): · The secret to a longer life is a balanced diet and regular exercise.low-fat/high-fibre etc diet: · a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetablesstaple diet (=a main diet consisting of one or two basic foods): · People in the coastal region live on a staple diet of rice and fish.diet of: · For 27 years in the jungles of Guam, Yokoi survived on a diet of shrimp, coconuts, snails, frogs and rats.
small amounts of food and drink that are served at a public meeting, a performance, or on a long journey: · Mrs Thompson has kindly offered to provide the refreshments for the school sports day.light refreshments (=a small quantity of food): · Light refreshments will be served during the interval.
the different things that your body needs to grow and be healthy, that you get from food: · A growing child needs proper nourishment.· Calves rely on their mother's milk to provide nourishment.· The foetus gets nourishment via the mother's blood supply.
a meal the food that you eat in the morning, in the middle of the day, or in the evening, either at home or in a restaurant: · The hotel was nice, and the meals were really good.· Miriam was silent all through the meal.· You shouldn't exercise after a big meal.have a meal: · We had an excellent meal in a Chinese restaurant.cook somebody a meal: · Jeff cooked us a delicious meal last night.go out for a meal (=go to a restaurant): · Would you like to go out for a meal sometime, Emma?take somebody out for a meal (=take someone to a restaurant and pay for their meal): · It was Lisa's birthday so we took her out for a meal.main meal (=the biggest meal of the day): · We usually have our main meal in the middle of the day.
a meal, especially a small or quick meal: · Can I get you something to eat?have something to eat: · We'll have something to eat, and then go out.
British /feeding American a meal, consisting only of milk, that a baby has: · A young baby needs small feeds at frequent intervals.· Lois has gotten tired of the late night feedings.have a feed British: · Her baby has its lunchtime feed, then goes to sleep.
a thing use this instead of the name of something when you do not need to say its name or when you do not know what it is called. You can use thing when you mean a physical object, or something such as an event, an idea, or something that someone says: · What's that thing on the kitchen table?· There were several things that I wanted to discuss.· I cried during the whole thing.· The first thing we need to do is call Becky.adjective thing thing: · We went to the aquarium, and they have this neat new thing where the tide goes in and out over a rock pool.
a thing - use this especially when you do not know what the thing is, or you have not decided yet what it will be: · I need to get something for Greg - it's his birthday tomorrow.· There's something on your shirt, on the back.· Something went wrong with the pumping system in the pool.something something adjective: · Do you want to hear something really funny?· He wanted to get her something special, something expensive.something else (=another thing): · I've just remembered something else I wanted to tell you.something to eat/wear/read etc: · I need to have something to eat before we go out.or something (=or something similar): · There's a stone or a nail or something stuck in my shoe.
a separate solid thing, especially one that you can touch or hold in your hand: · Children should be able to point to each object as they count it.· The sculpture is made from objects he found on beaches in Mexico.inanimate object (=a thing that is not alive): · After his stroke, he was able to name inanimate objects like saws and shovels, but unable to name most living things.
one particular thing, especially one that is being bought or sold: · The line at the checkout was for people with eight items or fewer.· A comfortable, adjustable chair is the single most important item for the health of a computer user.· The museum has over 5,000 items of historical interest.item of clothing/furniture/jewellery etc (=a single piece of clothing, furniture, jewellery etc): · The main item of jewellery worn by men, other than a watch, is cuff links.household item American (=an object used in the house): · Bring any old household items for the sale.luxury item (=an expensive item that is not really necessary): · Many of the things that people in the West take for granted are considered to be luxury items here.collector's item (=a rare item that some people would pay a lot of money to have): · My aunt discovered that her old doll was a collector's item and worth a lot of money.
formal a thing, especially one of a group of things: · Each article has a written history printed on a card below the display.article of clothing/furniture/jewellery etc (=a single piece of clothing, furniture, jewellery etc): · She didn't take much with her, just a few articles of clothing and a towel.household article British (=an object used in the house): · Most of our wedding presents were household articles.
an object that someone has made, such as a tool or piece of jewellery, especially one that is interesting because it is very old, comes from a different country etc: · Many Bronze Age artifacts were discovered at Luddesdown.· Do not buy any artefacts unless they have an export permit.
a piece of work that you have to do a specific piece of work that you have to do, often one that you are not paid for: · Repairing the roof -- that's going to be the biggest job.· Cleaning the car's one of my least favorite jobs.do a job: · Well, I must go now. I've lots of jobs to do around the house.do a good/nice/beautiful etc job (=do a job well): · I always take my car to York Street garage. They're expensive, but they do a good job.· Irene did a nice job on those clothes didn't she?get on with a job (=continue doing a job): · He didn't complain or criticize, he just got on with the job.odd jobs (=jobs of different kinds that are not regular): · He does odd jobs for people in his spare time.the job in/at hand (=the job you have to do at the moment): · Let's just concentrate on the job in hand, shall we?· She was upset, and found it difficult to keep her mind on the job at hand.
formal a piece of work that you have to do - use this especially about a difficult or unpleasant job, or about a specific part of your work: · One of the first tasks Eva set herself was learning the local language.impossible/difficult/arduous etc task: · The UN Peacekeeping Force faces an almost impossible task.· We knew what had to be done, but it wasn't an easy task.task of: · Recovery crews continued the grim task of retrieving bodies from the wreckage. face/begin/continue a task: · By 2001, we had begun the task of collecting the materials and information needed for the study.· This is one of the most difficult and complex tasks we face.perform a task/carry out a task: · Most of the workers did not have the skills required to perform the most basic tasks.· The massacre was never fully investigated because the police were incapable of carrying out the task.thankless task (=one that no one wants to do because they will get no satisfaction from it): · Who on earth would volunteer for such a thankless task?
a job that you have to do, either for your work or for yourself, especially things that you have to leave your office or house to do: · I'll pick the laundry up on Saturday -- I have some shopping to do anyway.· I've got some work to do this evening.
something that you have to do, especially something that involves writing or drawing and a lot of thinking: do/hand in/submit a piece of work: · Do you actually fail the year if you don't hand in a piece of work?· I've got a merit for every piece of work I've done.good/excellent etc piece of work: · I think this is a very fine piece of work and it deserves a first class mark.· Look at that piece of work and ask yourself the question -- 'Is this the best I can do?'
a piece of work that someone gives you to do, as part of your job or as part of your studies: · Bart's first assignment for the newspaper was to report on the French elections.· This is a really tough assignment, and I believe you're the only person who can handle it.finish/complete an assignment: · She stayed late to complete a class assignment.history/homework/school/military etc assignment: · Robin spent many lunch hours poring over her math assignments.· I eventually got a teaching assignment at Xibei.one-year/two week etc assignment: · 'I figure this will either make or break us,' Cheyne said of the 1-year assignment to get the camp up and running.
an unpleasant or boring job, especially one that you have to do regularly in your home: · Washing the kitchen floor was a daily chore, and it was the one I hated most.· When we opened the store, our ambition was to make shopping less of a chore, more of a pleasure.· When I got old enough I started to have chores around the house.do the/your chores (=do all the cleaning etc that needs doing in a home): · Michael, come on. Do your chores, bud.household chores (=chores in the home, such as cleaning or cooking): · Husbands should be prepared to do their share of the household chores.
a small job that you need to do or that someone has asked you to do, such as buying something, posting something, taking somebody to a place etc: do/run an errand (for somebody): · Before you disappear, I want you to do an errand for me.· Peter cleaned equipment, ran errands, answered the phone -- it was all routine.· I used to pick up her dry cleaning and run errands for her.
something that you have a responsibility to do, especially as a regular part of your job: · For the most part, there was not much to do, other than cleanup duty around the prison camp.· Part of a park ranger's official duties is to ensure public safety.· clerical and secretarial dutieshave a duty to do something formal: · Teachers have a duty to ensure that students are not injured whilst they are in their care.perform a duty: · And now I have a very pleasant duty to perform. I am going to present the prizes to the winning competitors.tour of duty (=a period of time that a soldier or other member of the armed forces spends in a particular place): · He recently completed a tour of duty in Seoul as assistant to the US ambassador there.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY It’s a good car, but I’m looking for something newer. The house was too small, so they decided to look for something else (=a different one). I think there’s something wrong (=a problem) with the phone. I don’t know what he does exactly, but I know it has something to do with computers (=is related to them in some way). There was something rather odd about him. There’s something about her voice that I find really sexy. The news came as something of a surprise.
It’s a good car, but I’m looking for something newer. The house was too small, so they decided to look for something else (=a different one). I think there’s something wrong (=a problem) with the phone. I don’t know what he does exactly, but I know it has something to do with computers (=is related to them in some way). There was something rather odd about him. There’s something about her voice that I find really sexy. The news came as something of a surprise.PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► be thirty-something/forty-something etc► sixty something/John something etc► ... or something
1used to mean a particular thing when you do not know its name or do not know exactly what it is: - Insignia has something like 100 engineers working on its line.
- But there was something else, too.
- Cancer was something you cut out and that was that.
- It lies unassimilated on the edge of my under-standing; there is something I must learn from it.
- Practice time is something else everyone seems to take for granted.
- She thinks this is something that concerns you, too.
- Surely there was something more to it.
- That is something that special educators have, so far, lamentably failed to offer disabled children and their families.
- Yes, there was something in there and I bet myself it would be Jo's emerald pendant.
- You're really something else, Jeff.
- But to see them as marginal or peripheral is something else again.
- However, there is something else to consider.
- Red, though, is something else.
- Sorting through his things was something else entirely.
- There is something else, though.
- There was something else in them.
- Those two clubs are something else.
- Um, there was something else I want to ask you too.
- Hello, I thought, maybe there's something in this for you after all.
- Just as everyone's forgetting about Myra Hindley, there's something in the newspaper again about her.
- Well at least there's something in it for the viewer.
- At last I have something of Father's.
- Clearly a stranger had emptied it, hence obviously they thought she might have something of interest in it.
- It seems you already have something of the greater power.
- The gardens have something of interest to offer throughout the year.
- They must each have something of reality about them.
- We have something of value to offer you, but you in return have something to offer us.
- William Right-well, then we have something of an impasse.
- You really do have something of Zbigniew in you.
- Alfred Walter is something of an expert on Viennese music particularly that of the Johann Strauss era.
- In his own way he is something of an expert on the private lives of actresses.
- Richard Holmes was something of an expert at the game, but he ended up as a down-and-out by the end.
- At the time it came as something of a shock.
- But perhaps in a way that will be something of a surprise.
- It must have been something of a shock to her system.
- It was something of a shock to him to realize how fond of the little boy he had become.
- Some of their views came as something of a surprise.
- Suddenly she has time to think of herself, and this may be something of a shock.
- That she was shocked came as something of a shock to me, too.
- The feel of his strong fingers enclosing her small palm came as something of a shock to her system.
- Before that, and this should tell you a little something, it was not much more attractive for Stanford.
- Can yet give us a little something now, Morreen.
- Let me just tell you a little something!
- Mrs Fanning also stood up and said she could stand to leave behind a little something.
- Pawlowski knows a little something about horsepower.
- So I thought, a little push, a little shove, a little something extra to shake it loose.
- This time aliens stop by for a visit and leave a little something, um, behind.
- Well, I ate a little something in my room earlier.
- But he was walking to a truck stop across the street, probably getting something to eat during his break.
- It had something to do with being a man.
- It had something to do with skills, and something to do with expectation and hope.
- Most calendar programs remind you gently when you have something to do.
- No, you can't dash out for something to eat.
- Of course, the beer might have had something to do with this.
- Then I rolled up my things in a blanket and went out and had something to eat.
- You've done it a thousand times already, but you do it again, just for something to do.
- As with all young people she had to make something of herself before she could offer anything to anyone else.
- He looked like a man who might be able to make something of himself if a good woman took him in hand.
- Most ladies maids try to make something of themselves.
- She began to think of it as he, and wondered if he would make something of himself later on in life.
- She too wanted her boys to make something of themselves.
- She was totally uninterested in the proposition that a man ought to make something of himself.
- The one with the ambition and the talent and the brains to really make something of herself.
- Uncle Allen had made something of himself by 1932.
- And that's something many fans simply don't want.
- And that's something technology alone, however sharp, could never do.
- As for Winterreise itself, that's something else.
- From his talks with players, that's something he discovered was missing in the Phillies clubhouse last season.
- It's a manifestation of the marvellous relationship you had with your husband and that's something you should hand on to dearly.
- Oh, good, that's something.
- Okay, that's something a soldier has to accept, in an abstract sort of way.
- You bought it as somewhere where you could keep me, and that's something quite different.
- Quick, do something - there's water all over the kitchen floor.
- Teenagers were dropping out of school in huge numbers, until a group of parents and teachers decided to do something about it.
- We need to do something before everyone gets fed up and quits.
- When are you going to do something about this broken window?
- At this stage, the urge to do something was unfocused, but it was extraordinary how people threw themselves into it.
- But the ballot stuffing was so blatant that even the Labor Department was roused to do something.
- I always feel I have to do something new.
- I mean, who'd do something like this, eh?
- I was vaguely aware that junior was trying to persuade the others to do something.
- If it doesn't want to do something it will refuse to, probably by dropping stitches or jamming the carriage.
- One can always try to do something for individuals.
- Something about Frank's attitude just makes you want to hit him.
- There's something strange about the woman's eyes in the painting.
- After witnessing scurvy's dire effects, naval surgeon James Lind decided to do something about it.
- I know something about him that he doesn't know I know.
- If the result is none too pleasant, it's time to do something about it.
- Once you know how others perceive you, you can do something about it.
- Some may see them entirely differently, arguing that they prove something about homophobia or how gay men react to anti-gay oppression.
- That night I recognized at once something about him.
- The only current team in the majors never to have appeared in postseason play decided to do something about it.
- When will he do something about that deplorable record?
There’s something in my eye. Sarah said something about coming over later.something new/old/good etc It’s a good car, but I’m looking for something newer. The house was too small, so they decided to look for something else (=a different one). I think there’s something wrong (=a problem) with the phone. I don’t know what he does exactly, but I know it has something to do with computers (=is related to them in some way).► see thesaurus at thing2something to eat/drink/read/do etc some food, a drink, a book, an activity etc: Would you like something to drink? I should take something to read on the plane.3do something to do something in order to deal with a problem or difficult situation: Don’t just stand there – do something!something about Can you do something about that noise?4something about somebody/something used to say that a person, situation etc has a quality or feature that you recognize but you cannot say exactly what it is(there is) something different/odd/unusual about somebody/something There was something rather odd about him. There’s something about her voice that I find really sexy.5... or something spoken used when you cannot remember, or do not think it is necessary to give, another example of something you are mentioning: Her name was Judith, or Julie, or something. Here’s some money. Get yourself a sandwich or something.6something like 100/2,000 etc close to but not exactly a large amount such as 100, 2,000 etc: Something like 50,000 homes are without power.7be thirty-something/forty-something etc used to say that someone is aged between 30 and 39, between 40 and 49 etc when you do not know exactly8be (really/quite) something spoken used to say that something is very good and impressive: Running your own company at 21 is really something. That was really something, wasn’t it?9be something else spoken to be unusual or funny to other people: You really are something else!10there’s something in/to something used to admit that someone’s words are true or their ideas are successful etc: They had to concede that there was something in his teaching methods. Do you think there’s something to the rumours about Larry and Sue?11have something of something to have a few of the same features or qualities that someone else has: It was clear that Jenkins had something of his father’s brilliance.12be something of a gardener/an expert etc to know a lot about something or to be very good at something: Charlie’s always been something of an expert on architecture.13something of a shock/surprise etc formal used to say that something is a shock, surprise etc, but not completely or not in a strong or severe way: The news came as something of a surprise.14a little something used when you are telling someone that you have bought them a present: I got you a little something for your birthday.15 sixty something/John something etc spoken used when you cannot remember the rest of a number or name: ‘How much did you spend on groceries?’ ‘A hundred and twenty something.’16make something of yourself to become successful17that’s something used to say that there is one thing that you should be glad about: At least we have some money left. That’s something, isn’t it?