A more thorough explanation:

Things in action

Things in action refer to a property that someone is entitled to receive by law. This property is usually in the form of money. For instance, if someone has a legal claim against another person, they have a thing in action until the court makes a final decision or the time limit for suing expires.

1. A person who has been injured in a car accident has a thing in action against the driver who caused the accident. They can sue the driver for compensation for their injuries and damages.

2. A tenant who has paid a security deposit to their landlord has a thing in action. They are entitled to get their deposit back at the end of their lease, provided they have fulfilled all the terms of the lease agreement.

The examples illustrate how a person can have a thing in action in different situations. In the first example, the person has a legal claim against the driver who caused the accident. They can sue the driver to get compensation for their injuries and damages. Until the court makes a final decision, the person has a thing in action. In the second example, the tenant has paid a security deposit to their landlord. They are entitled to get their deposit back at the end of their lease. Until the landlord returns the deposit, the tenant has a thing in action.