thing这个词，我们初学英语时就会遇到。但很少人能把这个简单词用得生动。今天介绍其复数形式things的一个常见用法。
复数things用来表示大形势或人生境遇。
在Collins字典中，things有一条释义如下：
Things can refer to the situation or life in general and the way it is changing or affecting you.
这里的things并不表示具体的事情，而是指大环境、周遭事物，和circumstances或者situation类似。
之前，外媒在报道特朗普入主白宫后，他女婿库什纳也平步青云时，就用到了things。
His rapid ascent is seen by the younger generation as a sign that things are changing.
rapid ascent表示火箭般的升官速度。这里的things则指美国的政治环境。整句话的意思是：
库什纳平步青云，在年轻一代眼里，这意味着要变天了。
things还可以表示个人际遇。常和go well，go one's way，work out搭配，表示人生得意或失意。
Maturity is the ability to reap without apology and not complain when things don't go well.
成熟就是，得意时坦然，失意时安然。
reap without apology本义指坦然接受成功，体现了自信的人生态度，强调个人坚定地追求自己的目标，不为世俗之见而动摇。
not complain when things don't go well表示在逆境中不抱怨，体现个人冷静坚毅的品质。
整句话传达了成熟的两个重要特征：自信和坚韧。
第二个搭配go one‘s way本义指“朝着和…一样的方向前行”。
韦氏字典的解释是：
to travel in the same direction as someone
这个表达曾出现在奥黛丽赫本的电影《蒂凡尼的早餐》插曲《月亮河》中。
Moon river, wider than a mile
I'm crossing you in style, someday
Oh, dream maker, you heartbreaker
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way
（无论去哪里，我都将一路追随）
Two drifters, off to see the world
There's such a lot of world to see
这个短语从“方向一致”引申出“事情的发展如人所愿”。
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms字典的解释是：
To proceed or unfold in a manner that is beneficial to someone or is in line with their plans or desires.
things don't go your way用的就是这个引申义。
When things do not go your way，never forget who you are，and always remember the bigger picture.
人生不如意时，永远不要忘记你是谁，把眼光放长远。
这里的picture也值得再讲讲。bigger picture指的是全局、长远目标。不顺时，不应该囿于眼前的得失，而要把眼光放长远。这样，很多当下的问题就迎刃而解了。
熟词生义：paint a big picture
以下这句话同样用到了go your way，讲的还是人生。
If you quit every time things don't go your way，then you will be quiting all through your life.
逆境时，事事放弃，人生也就被放弃了。
我们再来说work out。
Collins字典对work out的解释是：
If a situation works out well or works out, it happens or progresses in a satisfactory way.
work out依然表示事情的发展。常常和the way搭配，引出一个定义从句，丰富了句子的内涵。
If things don‘t work out the way you want，hold your head up high and be proud. And try again. And again. And again.
如果事情不如你所愿，依然要高昂着头颅，保持骄傲。尝试，尝试，再尝试。
When things don't work out the way you planned，maybe life has bigger things planned for it. You just don't know them yet.
如果人生没按照你规划那般，或许有更重要的事情等着你。只不过你不知道而已。
以上这些例子虽然都是书面语，但这些表达也常用于口语中。
Life is a big thing. Live it well.
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