Things get difficult when...

[Ashraful Haque]

I was talking about people who don't save money and said-
1) "And as a consequence things get difficult when an emergency arises."

I was trying to settle a fight between two guys over a kill in a videogame that we were playing and I said-
2) "I'm just trying to keep things fair."

Even though I know when and why people use 'things' in this type of context, I'm not sure what the word refers to. Could anyone please explain what 'things' mean here?

 

[jutfrank]

Since you're the one who naturally and correctly used the word things in these contexts, you fully understand what you meant. Don't ask other people what you yourself are referring to.

Feel free though to have a go at explaining to us what you meant, and we'll tell you if you're on the right track.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Since you're the one who naturally and correctly used the word things in these contexts, you fully understand what you meant. Don't ask other people what you yourself are referring to.

Feel free though to have a go at explaining to us what you meant, and we'll tell you if you're on the right track.

Thanks for the reply. Here's what I think it means:
For sentence number 1:
"Things get difficult when an emergency arises." - Here 'things' probably means when an emergency arises, for example your car needs a major repair, everything will becomes difficult because you wouldn't have enough money for the repair and even if you did you wouldn't be able to afford food and pay your bills.

For sentence number 2:
"Keep things fair" probably means keep the situation fair for everyone.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, you've understood well enough.

 

[Tarheel]

I agree with you except I wouldn't use the word probably.