in the thick of it
in the busiest or most intense part of an activity
In Spanish
in the busiest or most intense part of an activity
Examples
- Don't call her now — she's in the thick of the launch.
- He was in the thick of it when the crisis hit the company.
- During the festival, volunteers were always in the thick of it, helping out.
When it's used
This idiom describes someone deeply involved in a busy or intense situation. It is more common in informal contexts, both in speech and writing. It's not an outdated expression, but its use might be more prevalent in British contexts.
The common mistake
A common mistake is translating from Spanish as 'in the thick of it', which some learners confuse with 'in the thick of it'. This does not capture the specific meaning of being in the midst of intense activity and can sound awkward.
Related idioms
FROM WHAT YOU READ TO WHAT YOU SAY
Recognising it isn't the same as using it
Reading an idiom and understanding it is step one. Dropping it into a conversation, at the right moment, without stopping to think, is another — and that only comes from speaking.
Practise speaking→