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3. have a good thing going

have a good thing going

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have a good thing going

to have something of an ongoing nature arranged for one's own benefit. Sally paints pictures and sells them at art fairs. She has a good thing going, and she makes good money. John inherited a fortune and doesn't have to work for a living anymore. He's got a good thing going.

See also: going, good, have, thing

have a good thing going

to do or have something that is successful This director has a good thing going with one film nominated for an Oscar and two others earning him a lot of money.

Usage notes: also used in the forms the better thing going or the best thing going: If you have to commute to the city, the train is the best thing going.

Related vocabulary: on a roll

See also: going, good, have, thing

have a good thing going

Have matters arranged to one's benefit or profit. For example, Joe's got a good thing going with this new franchise. It also may be put as make a good thing of, meaning "make something work to one's benefit," as in If we work hard we can make a good thing of this job. The first term dates from the second half of the 1900s, the second from the early 1800s. Also see have going for one.

See also: going, good, have, thing