What does into the thick of it mean?
'In/into the thick of it' is a very common English phrase.
Usage
The phrase 'in the thick of it' implies that one is fully involved in an activity and not merely a bystander or spectator. If someone who is not involved becomes involved, then they move 'into' the thick of it.
Examples of activities that someone could be 'in the thick of' could include: conflicts (local or global), team-based sports, political protests.
"Did you attend the demonstration?"
"Oh yes, I was right there in the thick of the action!"
A fight broke out during the soccer match. Steve was in the thick of it as usual!
"Did your grandad fight in World War 2?"
"Yes, he spent a year on the frontline in the thick of it all."
Conclusion
This is a very common phrase that can be applied to many different situations. Using this phrase in conversation (or similar phrases) can have the effect of making you sound a lot more local and more like a native speaker.
What does this phrase mean? 😲 I had to look it up myself because it's not a common English expression! There is one that's almost the same, which is "in the thick of", and I'll talk about that towards the end.
Where did it come from?
This phrase "into the thick of it" is actually the title of a song from a children's TV show called Backyardigans, which aired on the Nickelodeon channel in the 2000s.
In one episode of the show, the animal friends walk into a thick or dense forest (meaning there are lots of trees 🌳🌲🌳🌲) as they sing the song Into the Thick of It. Here are some lines from the song:
into the thick of it
into the thick of it
into the thick of it
we're tramping through the bush
on and on we push
but we can't see where we're going
Why is this popular now?
This phrase is currently trending because of a challenge that became viral on TikTok. To join the challenge, you have to sing the song from memory with the right tempo.
What about "in the thick of"?
As I said in the introduction, there is a phrase that sounds very similar to "into the thick of it" and that is "in the thick of". This phrase means that you are very focused on doing something or you become very involved in a situation. Here are some examples:
very focused on doing something
I can't hear my mom when I'm in the thick of playing video games with my friends.
No one is allowed to enter the boardroom because the managers are in the thick of a very important meeting.
very involved in a situation
I thought she was a shy girl at first, but now she's a key member in the thick of organizing the climate action.
The school is in the thick of a war zone between Ukrainian and Russian soldiers.
I hope this was of help to you. Stay in the thick of learning English! 🙂
What does into the thick of it mean?
In the middle or deep into
"The thick of it...?"
Into the thick of it means that you have gotten yourself involved into something that can be harmful or unpleasant for you. Something that can be overwhelming or cause you problems if not handled carefully.
Doing something your not capable
When taking on a task that you have no experience in and you become overwhelmed with completing the task is "putting yourself into the thick of it."
Waiting to complete a homework assignment until the last few hours that it is due is trying to achieve something in the last hours or "into the thick of it..."
The boy decided that he would try to fight one but three appeared and it was at this moment he knew he was into the thick of it.
Causing yourself trouble
Deeply involved into a bad situation
When someone goes "into the thick of it" they are essentially engaging with a complex task, are very busy or engaged with several things at once.
Personally, when I hear this phrase or idiom, I think of a thicket, which is a type of bush.
If one is trying to walk through some bushes, it is a difficult, complex and often tedious task.
However, in real life, it is applied to any difficult task you are in the middle of doing.
Some examples:
A student is writing a difficult essay:
Hey dude, how is your essay writing going?
I'm in the thick of it right now!
Oh, okay, good luck!
A teacher gives you advice:
Don't forget that even when you are in the thick of it, it is important to slow down, breathe and do what you need to remain calm.
There are many interesting idioms in the English language.
Some idioms may translate well into your native language, and some may simply be unique to the English language. Is there a similar saying in your native language?
To be in the thick of it
Meaning
To be involved with something difficult, arduous or challenging that isn’t finished. It expresses the notion that you are dealing with a situation that requires your full attention without going into detail.
Examples
I’ll give you a call later when I have some time. I am working on a difficult project at work right now and I am in the thick of it.
I'm sorry I won't be home on time today and you'll have to start dinner without me as I am in the thick of it.
Conclusion
This is a useful expression when you want to explain to somebody you are preoccupied and busy. Note, it can also be used specifically when you don't want to give the exact details of why you are preoccupied.
"Into the thick of it" is English phraseology to denote going right into the the action or storm. Such as: "The battle began, and he took his gun and went into the thick of it."
Into the thick of it
Thick also can mean literally thick as well, such as a storm.
"It was so hard to see outside from the fierce rain, but she went into the thick of it to light the lamps of that old lighthouse standing strong beside the house."
Going into the thick of it often in writing requires bravery of the character who needs to go through something literally or physically difficult. For example: A battle, a storm, crowds, an adventure.
To me, into the thick of it is a very good description for writing, as it describes how a character went right in the middle of something adventurous and difficult.
Concluded.
into the thick of it = completely into it
"into/in the thick of it" means "fully involved in a situation or activity".
Suddenly they started a fight. We just watched them first but then got into the thick of it. (We joined the fight)
Let's get into the thick of it!
I'm right in the thick of it.
Russia is in the thick of its worst economic crisis in history.
Now, I find myself in the thick of it again.
in VS into
In = position
to be/to stay/to find yourself in
Into = direction
to get/ to walk/ to jump into
A few alternatives:
in the middle of it, in the the center of it, in the epicenter.
"We're tramping through the bush.
On and on we push. Into the thick of it" ("Into the Thick of It", © Universal Music)
in the thick of it - IDIOM
Definition of 'in the thick of it '
in the thick of it - deeply involved in a particular activity or situation|
Examples:
A fight broke out in the bar and he suddenly found himself in the thick of it.
Examples of 'in the thick of it' in a sentence
in the thick of it
Imagine how it felt to be in the thick of it.
Here, you feel right in the thick of it.
In exactly seven months, we will be in the thick of it.
Now once more he is in the thick of it.
When you're in the thick of it, it becomes a lottery.
I was in the thick of it, believing the rumours and whispers.
They were deep in the thick of it, making statements and getting into fights.
Just how "into the thick of it" are YOU?
Definition:
To be "into the thick of it" means to be involved or to be overwhelmingly busy.
 | Sample sentences:
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Are you "into the thick of it?"
Practice with these phrases:
Timmy has piles of paperwork; he is just now __________.
into the thick of it.
Zhan is behind on his homework. He has three assignments plus two exams. He must be __________.
into the thick of it this week.
Being "into the thick of it"
These guys were... | He is using two phones! |
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 |  |
Click on the idiom to listen to a song about being...
Into the Thick of It深入其中
When will we use it?
當我們要深入調查一件事情時。
比如青少年的情緒為什麼和季節的變化有聯繫？究竟是什麼導致的呢?
Let's Into the Thick of It
midst, thick adjective
the location of something surrounded by other things
"in the midst of the crowd"
thickadjective
not thin; of a specific thickness or of relatively great extent from one surface to the opposite usually in the smallest of the three solid dimensions
"an inch thick"; "a thick board"; "a thick sandwich"; "spread a thick layer of butter"; "thick coating of dust"; "thick warm blankets"
thickadjective
having component parts closely crowded together
"a compact shopping center"; "a dense population"; "thick crowds"; "a thick forest"; "thick hair"
thickadjective
relatively dense in consistency
"thick cream"; "thick soup"; "thick smoke"; "thick fog"
slurred, thickadjective
spoken as if with a thick tongue
"the thick speech of a drunkard"; "his words were slurred"
compact, heavyset, stocky, thick, thicksetadjective
having a short and solid form or stature
"a wrestler of compact build"; "he was tall and heavyset"; "stocky legs"; "a thickset young man"
dense, thickadjective
hard to pass through because of dense growth
"dense vegetation"; "thick woods"
thick, deepadjective
(of darkness) very intense
"thick night"; "thick darkness"; "a face in deep shadow"; "deep night"
chummy, buddy-buddy, thick(p)adjective
(used informally) associated on close terms
"a close friend"; "the bartender was chummy with the regular customers"; "the two were thick as thieves for months"
blockheaded, boneheaded, duncical, duncish, fatheaded, loggerheaded, thick, thickheaded, thick-skulled, wooden-headedadjective
(used informally) stupid
thickadverb
abounding; having a lot of
"the top was thick with dust"
thickly, thickadverb
with a thick consistency
"the blood was flowing thick"
thick, thicklyadverb
in quick succession
"misfortunes come fast and thick"
let's Into the Thick of It
深入了解
當我們要深入調查一件事情時，我們說Into the Thick of It
"In the thick of it" means to be deeply involved in a particular activity or situation.
Interesting Facts:
“Into the Thick of It” comes from an animated kids' show called The Backyardigans. The musical Nickelodeon series follows the story of Pablo, Tyrone, Uniqua, Austin and Tasha, five animal neighbors who have adventures in their backyard. In one episode, they wander into the jungle and sing 'Into the Thick of It'.
Practice using the idiomatic phrases "in the thick of it":
Sorry I couldn't make it to your birthday lunch on Wednesday, I'm afraid I'm really in the thick of it at the office right now.
Even when you are in the thick of it, try to take a moment each day and take a deep, calming breath.
Into the thick of it is a more complex version of "to be in between"
When someone finds themselves sandwiched in the middle of a situation, they are considered to be "into the thick of it" i.e: in the layers of something. It can be applied to a situation and/or activity
"I found myself in the thick of it when I realized there was no going back from what I've done!"
"She was really in the thick of it when she got all of her workload from AP Calculus"
"My dad found himself in the thick of it as he was walking down Manilla slums!"
Use this witty figure of speech to impress your English friends! There is also a very funny song called "Into The Thick of It"
Idiom
Deeply involved in something
Used:
Used to explain how deeply involved in a certain situation or activity one may be in. Used as an expression when writing or speaking.
Explains how deeply involved in something one may be.
Example:
He wanted to quit but he was already into the thick of it.
He thought he could escape the brawl, but he was already into the thick of it.
Yet again she has gotten herself into the thick of it
Use to add interest to your writing or speech
This expression can be used to make ones writing/speech more colorful. Yu could also say " In the throes of.." or "In the teeth of the wind.."