if it's not one thing it's another

[if it's not one thing it's another] If a certain thing doesn't go wrong, another most probably will.

* /When John lost his keys and his wallet, and his car wouldn't start, he exclaimed in despair, "If it's not one thing it's another."/

Compare: ONE DAMN THING AFTER ANOTHER (ODTAA).

Source: A Dictionary of American Idioms


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	one damn thing after another [one damn thing after another] or [ODTAA] (pronounced owed-tay) {n. phr.} If there is one ... A Dictionary of American Idioms for one thing [for one thing] {adv. phr.} As one thing of several; as one in a list ... A Dictionary of American Idioms thing or two [thing or two] {n. phr.}, {informal} 1. Facts not generally known, or not known to ... A Dictionary of American Idioms tell a thing or two [tell a thing or two] {v. phr.}, {informal} To tell in plain or angry words; ... A Dictionary of American Idioms sure thing [sure thing] 1. {n.}, {informal} Something sure to happen; something about which there is no ... A Dictionary of American Idioms quite the thing [quite the thing] {n. phr.} The socially proper thing to do. * /In polite society ... A Dictionary of American Idioms do one's thing [do one's thing] or [do one's own thing] {v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To do what ... A Dictionary of American Idioms

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