Alternative form of the thing is

(idiomatic, colloquial) Used to introduce the main point or issue, especially as a refutation or negation to a statement made by another speaker.

A political view that encompasses the longer-term as distinct from short-term objectives.

(informal) A polite reply to thank you. / An affirmative reply; yes; certainly.

(US) That which is certain.

It appears; it seems; apparently.

(informal) An action that yields undesirable results to its subject.

(from Kantian philosophy on) A thing as it is independent of any conceptualization or perception by the human mind, postulated by practical reason but existing in a condition which is in principle unknowable and unexperienceable.

Early in the morning. / Straight away, very soon.

The basic idea of how to do something. / Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see first, thing.