Meaning & use
the thick of it
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Meanings
phraseidiominformal
The busiest, most difficult, or most intense part of a situation or activity.
Grammar: Usually used after 'in': in the thick of it. It does not take an object.
Patterns
- in the thick of it
- be in the thick of it
When the project deadline arrived, she was right in the thick of it.
He loves being in the thick of it during a political campaign.
The rescue team was in the thick of it as the storm hit.
phraseidiominformal
In the middle of a fight, argument, or competition.
Grammar: Often used with 'in' and verbs like 'get' or 'be'.
Patterns
- get in the thick of it
- in the thick of the fight
The two players were in the thick of it before the referee stopped them.
She jumped into the thick of it and defended her friend.
Common combinations
- in the thick of it
- During the emergency, the doctors were in the thick of it.
- right in the thick of it
- He was right in the thick of it when the argument started.
- get in the thick of it
- She likes to get in the thick of it and help solve problems.
- be in the thick of the action
- The reporter was in the thick of the action.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in the middle of it
- A more neutral phrase that simply means being involved, without the sense of intensity.
- in the heat of it
- Focuses on the most exciting or dangerous moment, often of a conflict.
Opposites
Commonly confused: the thick of it or thick?
the thick of it vs thick
As an adjective, 'thick' means wide or dense. The idiom 'the thick of it' uses 'thick' as a noun meaning the most crowded or intense part.
Practice
What does 'in the thick of it' mean?
Choose one answer.
The idiom means being deeply involved in the busiest or most difficult part. Option An is too literal, C is wrong, and D is the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the thick of it”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.