this post was submitted on 06 Jan 2025
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[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 days ago (3 children)

Whether the saying is “if they think that, then they’ve got another think coming” or “if they think that, then they’ve got another thing coming”.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 days ago (2 children)

That one always gets me. The phrase means that the person is wrong about something, and circumstances will compel them to reconsider their position or opinion. The word "think" refers to a cognitive process, such as reconsidering their position or opinion. As for the alternative, what's the "thing" that's coming? Their latest Amazon order is out for delivery?

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 day ago

I've always interpreted the other thing coming as a threat or an unpleasant surprise. Ie, the consequences of thinking the thing they think.

[–] mindbleach 3 points 2 days ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yeah, that's what I've always figured, since the implied threat of violence/retribution seems like a very American attitude.

[–] mindbleach 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

What? No, just via circumstances. As in, the situation will have consequences you failed to predict.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I feel that "another thing coming" has mobster vibes, and a comeuppance is a deserved punishment.

[–] mindbleach 3 points 2 days ago

Okay, well, it doesn't.

[–] agamemnonymous 7 points 2 days ago

After a cursory search it seems like both are acceptable. "Think" appears to be the original phrase, but "thing" is more common today, especially in America.