( informal ) used to introduce an important fact, reason or explanation :
I'm sorry my assignment isn't finished. The thing is, I've had a lot of other work this week.
( informal ) used to introduce an important fact, reason or explanation :
I'm sorry my assignment isn't finished. The thing is, I've had a lot of other work this week.
Oxford Advanced Learner's English Dictionary. Оксфордский английский словарь для изучающик язык на продвинутом уровне. 2005