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What does “next thing I knew” mean?

Meaning, example sentence and a quick practice question.

B2 · C1

Used to describe something sudden happening in a story

“Next thing I knew, everyone was cheering.”

From the B2 lesson You'll Never Guess… and the C1 lesson You'll Never Guess… (telling news).

Quick check

What does “next thing I knew” mean?

Teaching this phrase?“next thing I knew” is part of a ready-to-teach lesson, with a reading, three exercises, speaking tasks and an answer key, in Everyday English Chunks B2 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings) and Everyday English Chunks C1 Pack 2 (Plans, Problems and Feelings).
See the B2 lesson pack See the C1 lesson pack

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