A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

that’s an idea • that’s the idea
that’s an idea —that thought, proposal, etc. is worth con-
sidering: Well, that’s an idea all right. Not a good one, but
it’s an idea.
that’s the idea —
1
. is used to indicate approval of what has
just been said: “Shall I look and see?” “That’s the idea.” 2.
that’s what smb. has in mind: Personal liberty isn’t everything.
The collective utopian omelet cannot be made without break-
ing eggs or intellectuals … I think that’s the idea, and it’s still
quite a bad one.
that’s life • this is the life
that’s life —(also: such is life) that’s the way things happen
(said with the implication that unpleasant events occur occasion-
ally): It’s a pity Colin and Rowena got divorced, but then
that’s life!
this is the life —(exclam.) used as an admiring comment on
a comfortable, enjoyable, and carefree existence : A sandy
beach, plenty of hot sun, lots of nice people! This is the life!
– 319 –
that’s life

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that’s my story and I’m sticking to it • that’s the
story of my life
that’s my story and I’m sticking to it—said after an explanation
which may not be completely true: It’s been suggested that I
saw the same shark repeatedly. But I saw three … that’s my
story and I’m sticking to it.
that’s the story of my life —said of smth. that supposedly sum-
marizes one’s unfortunate life experience: That’s the story of
my life. It seems like it was just last month that I was a world-
renowned and universally-respected journalist…
that’s the ball game • that’s the way the ball
bounces
that’s the ball game —there is nothing one can do about a
situation: I have to give points to Potter for her creativity….
But the film failed to engage me in its central drama and that’s
the ball game.
that’s the way the ball bounces —(also: that’s the way the cookie
crumbles) that’s the way things happen (used with the impli-
cation that there are some things that we cannot control and have
to accept): He was fired. That’s too bad, but that’s the way the
ball bounces in a recession.