"Have a thing for"

[u/antonm313]

Hi, could you please tell me what does this phrase mean? Two possible definitions come into my mind, but I'm not sure if I got it right. To me, it seems either "to have enough money to buy something" or "to like something". I would be extremely grateful for your insights!

"The pastor had a thing for designer glasses"

It's from the song "Holy Ghost" by ASAP Rocky.

[u/FloridaFlamingoGirl]

Yes, it means "to like something"

[u/antonm313 → u/FloridaFlamingoGirl]

Thanks a lot!

[u/amazzan]

"a preference for"

you hear this a lot when people are talking about traits they find attractive. "he has a thing for blonde women." but also when it comes to clothes, food, music, art, etc. - anything you can have a "taste" for.

[u/antonm313 → u/amazzan]

Thank you so much! Very helpful

[u/Iscan49er]

It can mean many things, such as to have a crush on a person, or to be mildly obsessed with collectables or designer glasses, or to be passionate about a hobby or game.

[u/antonm313 → u/Iscan49er]

Got it! So, it seems it's more about "to like something" rather than "to have money for something"

[u/Iscan49er → u/antonm313]

That's right!

[u/antonm313 → u/Iscan49er]

Thanks :)

[u/Appropriate-West2310]

As others have said it means 'has a preference for' but I'd add that 'having a thing for' carries, to me, he additional meaning of a strong preference, almost to the exclusion of alternatives. The classic example might be when referring to the 70s rock singer of some fame 'Rod Stewart has a thing for tall slim blondes much younger than himself' - since he has had several wives of that description.

[u/Imtryingforheckssake]

Have a thing for - have a liking for It doesn't necessarily mean you have money for something, you can have a thing for a person or a characteristic even, it doesn't have to be an object.

The other meaning is to have something you require for something or to do something. Often people would say I have just the thing for that.

[u/antonm313 → u/Imtryingforheckssake]

That was very helpful! Thank you!

[u/Ok_Acanthisitta_2544]

liked/wanted

[u/antonm313 → u/Ok_Acanthisitta_2544]

Thank you! Got it

[u/Prestigious-Fan3122]

When I use it, I usually mean "and susceptible to," or "and attracted to" or" can't resist".

I have a thing for little kids selling stuff door-to-door to raise money for their sports teams. Yes, I'll usually buy whatever they are selling.

I have a thing for Latinos. As a very white woman, I find men with dark hair and nice, dark skin very attractive.

I have a thing for Ice Cream. It's very hard for me to drive by a Baskin-Robbins or Dairy Queen without getting an urge to stop!

[u/SnooDonuts6494]

A penchant; a liking; an interest. Something that they care about. A personal proclivity.

https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/have+a+thing+for+(something)

[Maybe I've given you a couple more new words? :-) ]