1 it
Pronounced:
/ˈɪt, ət/
Function:
pronounMeaning:
1 : that one just mentioned —used to refer to an object or substance ▪ I caught the ball and threw it back. ▪ He saw the car and immediately wanted to buy it. ▪ She tasted the powder and it was sweet. —used to refer to a living thing whose sex is unknown or is being ignored ▪ I don't know who it is. ▪ “Who is it?” “It's only me.” ▪ There is a rosebush near the fence, and it is now blooming. ▪ A fly landed on the table and I swatted it. ▪ He heard the baby crying and brought it some milk. —used to refer to an idea, quality, emotion, etc. ▪ Beauty is everywhere, and it is a source of great joy.
2 —used as the subject of a verb that describes a condition or occurrence ▪ It is cold/hot/raining/snowing outside. ▪ It is (getting) late/dark. ▪ It will soon be summer. ▪ What time is it? ▪ It is ten (minutes) after four (o'clock). ▪ It hurts when I sneeze. ▪ It is almost summer. ▪ It is only a short walk to the beach from here.
3 —used in the place of a noun, phrase, or clause that usually comes later ▪ It hurts me to sneeze. [=to sneeze hurts me] ▪ It is not necessary (for you) to repeat the whole thing. ▪ It makes me happy just to think about her. ▪ It is wonderful being back here again! ▪ It is a long way to the next town. ▪ It is said/believed that he died of a broken heart. ▪ They made it clear that they needed our help. ▪ I take it that there was some problem. ▪ It is me you are looking for. = (formal) It is I you are looking for. ▪ It was here that I lost my way. ▪ It was in this city that the treaty was signed.
4 —used to refer to something that has been done or is being done or is going to be done ▪ We're going to have to do it again. ▪ Quit it! [=stop doing what you are doing] ▪ You've been arguing all afternoon. Now cut it out! [=stop arguing] ▪ Please do it right away. ▪ Okay, go to it! [=do the thing you are going to do]
5 —used as a direct object with little or no meaning ▪ We hoofed it all the way back to camp. [=we walked all the way back to camp] ▪ We decided to rough it on vacation this year. [=to have our vacation somewhere where we would not have our normal comforts] ▪ living it up [=doing exciting and enjoyable things; spending money freely while enjoying life] ▪ She offered to come with me, but I decided to go it alone. [=to go by myself; to go alone]
6 : the general situation : things in general ▪ How's it going? ▪ It hasn't been the same since you left.
7 : something previously discussed or known ▪ When the bell rings, it means that class is over.
2 —used as the subject of a verb that describes a condition or occurrence ▪ It is cold/hot/raining/snowing outside. ▪ It is (getting) late/dark. ▪ It will soon be summer. ▪ What time is it? ▪ It is ten (minutes) after four (o'clock). ▪ It hurts when I sneeze. ▪ It is almost summer. ▪ It is only a short walk to the beach from here.
3 —used in the place of a noun, phrase, or clause that usually comes later ▪ It hurts me to sneeze. [=to sneeze hurts me] ▪ It is not necessary (for you) to repeat the whole thing. ▪ It makes me happy just to think about her. ▪ It is wonderful being back here again! ▪ It is a long way to the next town. ▪ It is said/believed that he died of a broken heart. ▪ They made it clear that they needed our help. ▪ I take it that there was some problem. ▪ It is me you are looking for. = (formal) It is I you are looking for. ▪ It was here that I lost my way. ▪ It was in this city that the treaty was signed.
4 —used to refer to something that has been done or is being done or is going to be done ▪ We're going to have to do it again. ▪ Quit it! [=stop doing what you are doing] ▪ You've been arguing all afternoon. Now cut it out! [=stop arguing] ▪ Please do it right away. ▪ Okay, go to it! [=do the thing you are going to do]
5 —used as a direct object with little or no meaning ▪ We hoofed it all the way back to camp. [=we walked all the way back to camp] ▪ We decided to rough it on vacation this year. [=to have our vacation somewhere where we would not have our normal comforts] ▪ living it up [=doing exciting and enjoyable things; spending money freely while enjoying life] ▪ She offered to come with me, but I decided to go it alone. [=to go by myself; to go alone]
6 : the general situation : things in general ▪ How's it going? ▪ It hasn't been the same since you left.
7 : something previously discussed or known ▪ When the bell rings, it means that class is over.
ask for it —see ask
do it —see 1do
in for it —see 1for
nothing to it —see 1nothing
out of it —see 1out
that is it or that's it
informal 1 —used to say that something is finished or completed ▪ Okay, that's it. You can go now.
2 —used to say that something is all that is needed or wanted ▪ I came here to visit the museum and that's it. [=that is all I wanted to do here]
3 —used to say that something is correct ▪ “I can't remember his name.” “I think it was Brian Johnson.” “Yes, that's it.”
4 —used in an angry or annoyed way to say that you will not accept any more of something ▪ That's it! I'm leaving!
2 —used to say that something is all that is needed or wanted ▪ I came here to visit the museum and that's it. [=that is all I wanted to do here]
3 —used to say that something is correct ▪ “I can't remember his name.” “I think it was Brian Johnson.” “Yes, that's it.”
4 —used in an angry or annoyed way to say that you will not accept any more of something ▪ That's it! I'm leaving!
this is it
informal —used to say that this is the most important or final point ▪ Well, this is it—the day we've been waiting for.