Welcome to our new series of posts dedicated to handy phrases. In each post, we’ll unpack one phrase at a time and teach you everything you need to know about it. And the next thing you know, you’ll be able to use it confidently and naturally in everyday speech.
The first phrase in the series is, fittingly, “the next thing you know.” It’s definitely a phrase worth knowing, so let’s dive right in!
Add the right phrases, and next thing you know, you’re telling richer stories that connect, engage, and inspire.
Meaning
(The) next thing you know (informal) is used to talk about part of a story that happens in a sudden and surprising way.
= all of a sudden; out of nowhere; without warning
Examples
- I sat down to watch one episode, and next thing you know, it’s three in the morning.
- We started talking about old school memories, and next thing you know, we’d been chatting for two hours.
- I went into the store just to buy some milk, and next thing you know, I’ve spent $50.
- He started playing around with photography, and next thing you know, he’s got his own studio.
- We were just going to have one drink, and next thing you know, we’re dancing until midnight.
The Tenses
Next thing you know is not a fixed tense pattern. The tenses reflect the speaker’s viewpoint and how they frame the sudden result. For example:
- Past → present: I sat down to watch one episode, and next thing you know, it’s three in the morning. (Purpose: telling a past story as if it is happening now; the present makes the story feel more immediate and vivid.
- Past → past perfect/progressive: We started talking, and next thing you know, we had been chatting for two hours. (Purpose: maintaining a past viewpoint; the form had been chatting is used because the two hours of chatting had accumulated by that point in the past. (Related: “Past Perfect Simple & Continuous”)
- Past → present perfect: I went into the store just to buy some milk, and next thing you know, I’ve spent $50. (Purpose: a past action with a present result; the present perfect works particularly well because the speaker is emphasizing the result that exists now.) (Related: “Past Simple, Present Perfect & Present Perfect Continuous”)
- Past → present progressive: We were just going to have one drink, and next thing you know, we’re dancing until midnight. (Purpose: putting us into the action; the first part establishes the original plan in the past, while we’re dancing puts us directly into the resulting scene. It’s vivid and conversational.)
Practice
Exercise 1. Analyse the use of the tenses in the sentence: He started playing around with photography, and next thing you know, he’s got his own studio.
Answer Key 🔑
Past → present: describing the surprising current situation
Here he’s got means he has. The speaker starts with a past event but ends by describing the surprising situation that exists now.
Exercise 2. Complete each sentence with a suitable continuation.
1. I only meant to check one email before going to bed, and next thing you know, ___.
2. We started discussing whether the company needed a new website, and next thing you know, ___.
3. She had always treated photography as a hobby. Then, almost without realizing it, she started taking paid assignments, and next thing you know, ___.
4. I went into the kitchen to make a quick sandwich, and next thing you know, ___.
5. We were supposed to spend a quiet weekend at home, but next thing you know, ___.
6. You start by learning a few basic phrases in another language, and next thing you know, ___.
Suggested Answers 🔑
- I only meant to check one email before going to bed, and next thing you know, I’m replying to messages at two in the morning.
- We started discussing whether the company needed a new website, and next thing you know, we’re planning a complete redesign.
- She had always treated photography as a hobby. Then, almost without realizing it, she started taking paid assignments, and next thing you know, she’s working as a full-time professional photographer.
- I went into the kitchen to make a quick sandwich, and next thing you know, I’ve cooked an entire three-course meal.
- We were supposed to spend a quiet weekend at home, but next thing you know, we’ve booked a last-minute trip to the mountains.
- You start by learning a few basic phrases in another language, and next thing you know, you’re having full conversations with native speakers.
Exercise 3. Rewrite each sentence using next thing you know. You may need to change the tense or aspect to make the sentence sound natural.
1. I intended to stay at the party for half an hour. I ended up staying until sunrise.
2. She began selling a few of her paintings online. A year later, she had opened a gallery.
3. We were talking about taking a short trip. Before we realized it, we had booked flights to Iceland.
4. He decided to learn how to code. A few months later, he was building apps for a living.
5. I opened my phone to look up one fact. Forty minutes later, I was watching videos about medieval architecture.
Feel free to share your answers in the comments below. Feedback and meaningful discussion are guaranteed.
Answer Key 🔑
- I intended to stay at the party for half an hour, and next thing you know, I’ve stayed until sunrise.
- She began selling a few of her paintings online, and next thing you know, she’s opened a gallery.
- We were talking about taking a short trip, and next thing you know, we’ve booked flights to Iceland.
- He decided to learn how to code, and next thing you know, he’s building apps for a living.
- I opened my phone to look up one fact, and next thing you know, I’m watching videos about medieval architecture.
Do you have any questions or comments? Feel free to post them in the comments section below. We’ll be happy to respond😉
Enguroo Online English School 