the whole thing

the whole (something) thing

Some element, aspect, or characteristic of someone or something, especially that one dislikes or disapproves of. I really liked him, but he didn't want to be with someone who wasn't into the whole kids thing. This whole starving-artist thing he's cultivated for himself is so pretentious.
See also: thing, whole

the whole thing

The entirety (of something); all (of something). I said you could have a bite, not eat the whole thing!
See also: thing, whole
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • the whole (something) thing
  • the... thing
  • the whole bit
  • the... bit
  • the whole (something) bit
  • make a noise
  • make noise (about something)
  • there was/is something about (someone or something)
  • there's something about (someone or something)
  • there's something about somebody/something
References in classic literature
And then, again, the whole thing was merely a whimsical idea.
The Little White Bird
However, we got sent out at last, and Cathcart, he simply scoffed at the whole thing from the first.
A Millionaire of Yesterday
He struck her, inevitably, as gallant and splendid, but what took her most of all and gave her the courage she afterward showed was that he put the whole thing to her as a kind of favor, an obligation he should gratefully incur.
Turn Of The Screw
The whole thing was over twenty minutes sooner than the time we had calculated on.
No Name
I felt in myself, too, the desire to get the whole thing out of my mind.
Moon and Sixpence
If I hadn't backed myself to do it I should have chucked the whole thing up two months ago.
Pygmalion
And only then for the first time the whole thing presented itself in a new, different aspect; only then she realized that the question did not affect her only-- with whom she would be happy, and whom she loved--but that she would have that moment to wound a man whom she liked.
Anna Karenina
On the night before the assault on Seringapatam, he was absurdly angry with me, and with others, for treating the whole thing as a fable.
The Moonstone
And, yet, how vivid was his recollection of the whole thing! First in the dim twilight, and then in the bright dawn, he had seen the touch of cruelty round the warped lips.
Picture Of Dorian Gray
Whether the fogs produce the serious people or whether the serious people produce the fogs, I don't know, but the whole thing rather gets on my nerves, and so I'm leaving this afternoon by the Club Train.
Lady Windermeres Fan
The action of the whole thing is wonderfully good and true.
Moby Dick I LXVII
We told him all he'd got to do was to keep still, and it wouldn't be long till the whole thing would blow over and be forgot.
Tom Sawyer Detective
Of course the whole thing is nothing, but it worries me, and leads to anxious thoughts.
Poor Folk
And even as it is the whole thing is of considerable length.
Arrow of Gold
Come and help me to put it in the proper language, and the whole thing will be in train."
Man And Wife