What's taking you so long to get ready? - The thing is I don't really want to go to the party.¿Por qué te tardas en prepararte? - Lo que pasa es que no quiero ir a la fiesta.
Where's the dog? - See, the thing is he got out of the yard earlier today.¿Dónde está el perro? - Mira, el asunto es que se escapó del patio hace un rato.