it1

 
Pronunciation: /ɪt/

pronoun

[third person singular]
  • 1used to refer to a thing previously mentioned or easily identified: a room with two beds in it this approach is refreshing because it breaks down barriers
  • referring to an animal or child of unspecified sex: she was holding the baby, cradling it and smiling into its face
  • referring to a fact or situation previously mentioned, known, or happening: stop it, you’re hurting me
  • 2used to identify a person: it’s me it’s a boy!
  • 3used in the normal subject position in statements about time, distance, or weather: it’s half past five it was two miles to the island it’s raining
  • 4used in the normal subject or object position when a more specific subject or object is given later in the sentence: it is impossible to assess the problem she found it interesting to learn about their strategy
  • 5 [with clause] used to emphasize a following part of a sentence: it is the child who is the victim
  • 6the situation or circumstances; things in general: no one can stay here—it’s too dangerous now he would like to see you straight away if it’s convenient
  • 7exactly what is needed or desired: they thought they were it you’ve either got it or you haven’t
  • 8 (usually ‘it’) informal sexual intercourse or sex appeal: the only thing I knew nothing about was ‘it’
  • 9 [attributive] (It) informal denoting a person or thing that is exceptionally fashionable, popular, or successful at a particular time: they were Hollywood’s It couple the company is renting out the It bags of the moment for as little as £10 a week
    [after It girl]
  • 10 (usually ‘it’) (in children’s games) the player who has to catch the others.

Phrases

at it

see at1.

that's it

  • 1that is the main point or difficulty: ‘Is she going?’ ‘That’s just it—she can’t make up her mind.’
  • 2that is enough or the end: okay, that’s it, you’ve cried long enough

this is it

  • 1the expected event is about to happen: this is it—the big sale
  • 2this is enough or the end: this is it, I’m going
  • 3this is the main point or difficulty.

Origin:

Old English hit, neuter of he, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch het