real thing

real thing (plural real things)

1. Something genuine and of high quality, as opposed to an inferior imitation.

   Synonyms: real deal, real McCoy, pure quill, the shit, the bomb

   • 2022 October 1, Phil McNulty, “Arsenal 3-1 Tottenham: Gunners show identity & direction in outstanding derby win”, in BBC Sport‎:

     Recent history acts as a warning not to get carried away when Arsenal look as though they are finally emerging from their long post-Arsene Wenger transition period - but this time it feels like the real thing.

Used with the definite article the.

• “the real thing”, in Cambridge English Dictionary, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, 1999–present.
• “the real thing”, in Collins English Dictionary.
• “the real thing” (US) / “the real thing” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.
• “the real thing”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.

• Earthling, earthling, haltering, heartling, lathering