Line #165 Main/ByNoIMeanYes


1	[[quoteright:350:[[Webcomic/DarthsAndDroids https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/brilliant.PNG]]]]
2	%%[[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]
3	->''"I'm willing to admit that I may not always be right...but I'm never wrong."''
4	-->-- '''Sam Goldwyn'''
5
6	A character makes a statement, then immediately adds that they actually mean the exact opposite of what they said. Usually shows up in comedies. May be used as a form of [[DontExplainTheJoke pointing out sarcasm]]. Often the result of characters realizing they just told BlatantLies.
7
8	Subtrope of BaitAndSwitchComment. Compare {{Dissimile}}. See also DistinctionWithoutADifference, where a character prefers to use a different word to mean the same thing, and NoMeansYes, where people assume a person is doing this, but they aren't. Compare InstantlyProvenWrong, where the character makes a statement, but something external immediately contradicts that statement.
9	----
10	!!Examples:
11	[[foldercontrol]]
12
13	[[folder:Comic Books]]
14	* ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'': Jeff Mace had a little monologue before accepting the mantle of [[LegacyCharacter the third]] Captain America:
15	-->'''Jeff Mace:''' [[LittleNo No]]. There's only one Captain America. I can never be him. But I can carry on ''in'' his name - ''with'' his name. That I can do. That would be an honor.
16	* ''ComicBook/TangledTheSeries: Hair It Is'': In "Baking Instinct", Eugene questions if Varian thinks he doesn't have a domestic side. Varian's response is "I didn't say that! I mean, I ''thought'' it, but I didn't ''say'' it". Discerning readers will recognize that Varian is actually replying in the affirmative to Eugene's question despite phrasing it as a denial.
17	* ''ComicBook/TheUltimates'': No, Thor will not join the Ultimates. He despises the military complex that supports them, and the shallow celebrity lifestyle. However, he will help the team if there is some actual crisis that threatens people's lives.
18	-->'''Captain America''': This way we get you for free, soldier.
19	* ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': In ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderMan2018'', Spidey discovers that the new Sinister Syndicate is an AmazonBrigade who've decided to work together in order to get ahead in the misogynistic world of supervillainy:
20	-->'''Spider-Man''': Before we get started, I just wanna be clear -- I really support what you all are doing. I mean besides the ''crime'' part. Which is kinda all of it, I guess. So I don't support this. But I ''would'' if it wasn't crime. But it is.
21	* In ''ComicBook/WorldsFinest1990'', as Lex Luthor makes inroads into Gotham, he has to strike a deal with the Joker, who owns a property he wants. The Joker says that, in addition to the money, he wants permission from Metropolis's "king" to take a two-week vacation there. Luthor refuses to acknowledge that this even means anything, and says Joker can take his vacation wherever he likes ... but that Metropolis might prove bad for his health if he stays longer than ''one'' week.
22	[[/folder]]
23
24	[[folder:Comic Strips]]
25	* A ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'' strip had this exchange:
26	-->'''Jon''': I can't go out tonight, Liz.... I have a terrible cold. Don't worry, though. Garfield's taking good care of me.... [''Cut to Garfield laying on the table in front of Jon''] as in NOT!\
27	'''Garfield''': Can't you breathe in the other direction?
28	[[/folder]]
29
30	[[folder:Fan Works]]
31	* ''Fanfic/ABoyAGirlAndADogTheLeithianScript'': In this ''Literature/TheSilmarillion'' story, when Finrod finds out her fiancée has been building flying ships during his stay abroad he is astounded. His brother Angrod asks him if he is jealous:
32	-->'''Angrod''': [curious] ''Are you jealous? --Ingold?''\
33	'''Finrod''': ''N-- Yes.''
34	* In ''Fanfic/ThePrayerWarriors'', Jerry has this to say about his girlfriend, Mary (emphasis added).
35	-->'''Jerry Narrates''': "I and her [''sic''] '''are not dating''', if you Satanic scum think that there is something Satanic going on. '''We are dating''', but we are not having Sex until we get married."
36	* In ''WebVideo/DragonBallZAbridged'', Cell attempts to jab Vegeta with his tail only for Vegeta to catch it. After Vegeta asks what it's for, Cell tells him that he drinks people with it. Vegeta then asks if Cell was planning to drink him. At first, Cell tells him no only to immediately follow up with yes. Vegeta then follows up by elbowing Cell in the chest.
37	-->'''Vegeta:''' You feel that? That's what honesty feels like.
38	[[/folder]]
39
40	[[folder:Films — Animated]]
41	* From ''WesternAnimation/MeetTheRobinsons:''
42	-->'''Wilbur:''' If my family finds out that I brought you from the past, they'll bury me alive and dance on my grave. ''I'm not exaggerating!'' Well, yes I am.
43	** Later:
44	--->'''Lewis:''' You lied to me?\
45	'''Wilbur:''' No... Yes?
46	* This is how the Blue Meanies are ordered to communicate in ''WesternAnimation/YellowSubmarine'':
47	-->'''Chief Meanie:''' Pepperland is a tickle of joy on the blue belly of the universe. It must be scratched. Right, Max?\
48	'''Max:''' Yes, your Blueness.\
49	'''Chief Meanie:''' '''''WHAAAAAATT???!!''''' We Meanies only take "no" for an answer! Is that understood, Max?\
50	'''Max:''' No, your Blueness!\
51	'''Chief Meanie:''' Thaaaat's better...
52	** Lampshaded when John makes the offer of a truce to the Blue Meanies:
53	--->'''John''': Are you with us? Will you join?\
54	'''Chief Meanie''': Shall we?\
55	'''Max''': No!\
56	'''Chief Meanie''': Aargh?!\
57	'''Max''': [[LampshadeHanging Nnnn... yes, Your Newness!]]
58	* ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyTheMovie2017'': Rarity complains that Rainbow Dash's attempts at helping with decorations is only acceptable "if you were raised in a barn"... and then offers a "No offense" to farm-girl Applejack.
59	-->'''Applejack:''' None taken. Especially since I ''wasn't'' raised in a barn. My family just happens to have a barn. Where I was born. And... spent most of my formative years.
60	[[/folder]]
61
62	[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
63	* ''Film/SiebenZwerge'': this is the Mirror's normal way of talking
64	* ''Film/{{Clue}}'':
65	** This exchange:
66	-->'''Wadsworth:''' THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO FIND OUT! WE'RE TRYING TO FIND OUT ''WHO'' KILLED HIM, AND ''WHERE'' AND WITH ''WHAT''!\
67	'''Professor Plum:''' There's no need to shout!\
68	'''Wadsworth:''' '''I'M NOT SHOUTING!''' ({{beat}}) All right, I am! I'M SHOUTING! I'M SHOUTING! I'M SHOU--
69	** Later, we get a glorious exchange of [[AmbiguousSyntax whether or not there's someone else in the house]], with Wadsworth even name-dropping this trope.
70	* ''Film/GunsGirlsAndGambling'':
71	-->''...And by 'doctor', I mean 'lesbian prostitute'.''
72	* In ''Film/TheHost2006'', Gang-du tries to convince an ObstructiveBureaucrat that his daughter is alive.
73	-->'''Officer''': Your daughter, Park Hyun-seo, a seventh-grader at Dangsan Middle School... she's on the deceased list.\
74	'''Gang-du''' ''(desperately)'': Yes, she goes to Dangsan School... she's deceased... but she's not dead. ''(The officer scoffs)'' I mean, she died, but she's still alive.
75	* ''Film/HotShotsPartDeux'': Topper to Harbinger when he's wary of a [[TheMole Mole]] on the strike team.
76	-->'''Topper:''' I'm not saying that I don't trust you, or that I do trust you, but I don't.
77	* In ''Film/IndianaJonesAndTheTempleOfDoom'', Short Round gives Indy's sanity a ringing endorsement:
78	-->'''Willie:''' Oh my god! Oh my god, oh my god, is he nuts?\
79	'''Short Round:''' He no nuts, he's CRAZY!
80	* In ''Film/JerryMaguire'', when Rod is telling Jerry to have "the talk" with Dorothy, and Jerry ends up talking more about her son, Ray:
81	-->'''Rod:''' A real man would not [[UnusualEuphemism shoplift the pootie]] from a single mother.\
82	'''Jerry:''' [[PunctuatedForEmphasis I. Didn't. Shoplift. The Pootie!]] (''Ray just looks at him''). All right. I shoplifted the pootie!
83	* ''Film/KingdomOfHeaven'':
84	-->'''Balian''': What is Jerusalem worth?\
85	'''Saladin''': Nothing. ''(he walks away, then turns around)'' '''Everything.'''
86	* ''Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse'':
87	** From ''Film/ThorTheDarkWorld'':
88	--->'''Loki:''' [''to Odin''] It's not that I don't love our little talks, it's just... I don't love them.
89	** ''Film/ThorRagnarok'': When Hela tells Scourge about how each ruler of Asgard has a right-hand official known as the Executioner, she explains that 'Oh, it's not just about executing people. It's more about... executing their ''vision''. ...Mostly by executing people'.
90	* In his VillainSong in ''Film/MuppetsMostWanted'', Constantine reminds Dominic Badguy of his place:
91	--> I'm Number One, you're Number Two,\
92	I believe in equality,\
93	As long as you get less than me.
94	* ''Film/{{Shooter}}'': Strongly implied in the ending when the Attorney General gives Swagger the go-ahead [[spoiler:to kill the bad guys]] since there's no way to punish them legally.
95	---> '''Attorney General:''' This is the world we live in. And justice does not always prevail. It's not TheWildWest where you can clean up the streets with a gun. Even though sometimes ''that's exactly what's needed''... Bob Lee Swagger, you're free to go.
96	* In ''Film/{{Superman\|TheMovie}}'', when Otis assures Luthor that he's fulfilled his part of the plan, Luthor replies "It's not that I don't trust you, Otis, but ... I ''don't'' trust you. What did you do?"
97	* When asked if they stole the map of the time holes, Randall, leader of the Film/TimeBandits, says "No! Well, sort of."
98	* This exchange from ''Film/WeirdTheAlYankovicStory'':
99	-->'''Madonna:''' Have you heard my new single "Like a Virgin"? \
100	'''Al:''' Oh, I've heard it. And I'm curious, is that song... autobiographical? \
101	'''Madonna:''' Yes, I technically am a virgin, except for the fact that [[ReallyGetsAround I've had a lot of sex. I mean, a lot.]]
102	[[/folder]]
103
104	[[folder:Literature]]
105	* In ''Literature/TheIrregularAtMagicHighSchool'', Tomitsuka and Eimi have just fought off an ambush at the theme park where Tomitsuka works, and he asks her whether she's going to make him clean up the bodies by himself. Eimi protests that she would never do that...but she ''is'' a guest of the park, and her friends ''are'' waiting for her, and then she runs off.
106	* ''[[https://www.royalroad.com/fiction/46868/reincarnated-into-a-time-loop-dungeon-as-a-lvl100 Reincarnated into a Time-Loop Dungeon as a LVL100 Catgirl Chef!]]'' records that all Nikki's friends were polite, and didn't want to hurt her feelings, while telling her that "if they eat one more bite of cheddar in the next week they’ll catapult me into a slime."
107	* ''Literature/RejectionSlips'': The third letter, "Kind", spends most of the lines praising how much they enjoyed the manuscript. In the postscript, it finally says the submission was rejected.
108	* In ''Literature/GoingPostal'', when Moist notices some of the FantasticRacism grafitti on the wall of the Golem Trust was clearly written by a small child, he reflects "It was good to see the fine old traditions of idiot bigotry being handed down, in a no-good-at-all kind of way."
109	[[/folder]]
110
111	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
112	* In an episode of ''Series/ThirtyRock'', Jack gets HauledBeforeASenateSubCommittee, where he is grilled on NBC's spending by a certain federal official.
113	-->'''[[spoiler:Devon Banks]]:''' Is it true, Mr. Donaghy, that your executives routinely used company helicopters to dry their home tennis courts?\
114	'''Jack:''' Yes and no: yes, it happened, and no, it didn't not happen.
115	* ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', "The Luminous Fish Effect": Sheldon is fired for mouthing off to the new university president.
116	-->'''Penny:''' So you got canned, huh?\
117	'''Sheldon:''' Theoretical physicists do not get canned... But yeah.
118	* On ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
119	** "[[Recap/BuffyTheVampireSlayerS4E22Restless Restless]]" has this example:
120	--->'''Dream-Giles:''' You hold them, you touch them, uh, use them, um...\
121	'''Dream-Harmony:''' Props?\
122	'''Dream-Giles:''' No.\
123	'''Dream-Riley:''' Props?\
124	'''Dream-Giles:''' Yes!
125	** When Willow and Tara have a spat in season 5:
126	--->'''Tara:''' Do I act like ... the [[BuffySpeak big knowledge woman]]?\
127	'''Willow:''' No.\
128	'''Tara:''' Is that "No" spelled Y-E-S?\
129	'''Willow:''' ...S-O-R-T of?
130	** From the Season 9 comics:
131	--->'''Sophie:''' We certainly don't associate with ''anyone'' who'd do something like ''that''. Wait. Yes we ''do'', don't we?
132	* ''Series/{{Castle\|2009}}'':
133	** In "One Man's Treasure", Alexis tells Beckett, "I know my dad can sometimes be a handful, and by sometimes I mean all the time".
134	** In the sixth season premiere, after Castle proposes to Beckett, a very surprised Beckett kisses him. When Castle asks if that's a yes, she answers, "No, wait...", leading to some confusion over whether she was saying "Yes" or "No". Her initial "No" was because she wanted to tell Castle she was offered a job with a Federal task force in Washington DC. Ultimately her answer was a resounding "Yes".
135	* In ''Series/{{Chernobyl}}'', Professor Legasov insists that Pripyat be evacuated, but Director Shcherbina angrily states "that's my decision." Legasov tells him to ''make'' it, then, but Shcherbina has to admit that he's been instructed not to.
136	* ''Series/{{CSINY}}'': After Mac has been cleared of all charges in the Clay Dobson case in "[[Recap/CSINYS03E23 ...Comes Around]]", Stella surmises that it was satisfying for him to use the same political tactics on his superiors that they were trying to use against him. At first he denies it, but...
137	-->'''Mac:''' No, I don't take pleasure in other people's discomfort, Stella. [slight pause, smiles, chuckling] Yesss, it was extremely satisfying.
138	* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
139	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E2TheBeastBelow "The Beast Below"]]: "Except it's not a torture chamber, is it? Well, except it is. Except it isn't."
140	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E13TheBigBang "The Big Bang"]]: Rory is holding his dead fiancée as the universe dissolves around him, and mentions that the Doctor once told him that the universe is miraculous and ridiculous, and that "I could really use a ridiculous miracle right now." Then the Doctor appears, holding a mop and wearing a fez.
141	--->'''The Doctor:''' Listen, she's not dead. Well, she is dead, but it's not the end of the world. Well, it is the end of the world. Actually, it's the end of the universe.
142	** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E3ThinIce "Thin Ice"]]: Bill Potts wants to know if they'll be totally defenseless while diving beneath the ice in primitive diving gear to investigate the people-swallowing MonsterOfTheWeek.
143	--->'''The Doctor:''' No, no, no, no. Well yes. But don't worry about it.
144	** Bill points out the Doctor has (as usual) steered the TARDIS wrong. The Doctor says you don't steer the TARDIS, you reason with it. When Bill asks how you reason with the TARDIS, the Doctor replies, "Unsuccessfully, most of the time."
145	* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'': "[[Recap/FireflyE14ObjectsInSpace Objects in Space]]": Simon thinks Jubal is doing this when he asks if Jubal's a bounty hunter and Jubal responds with "No, that ain't it at all". When Simon asks him to explain what he is, Jubal looks at him and says "I'm a bounty hunter". However, Jubal has been fixated on River's empty room and had just been wondering if the best word to describe an empty room's purpose was "imbue" when Simon asked his question. He was rejecting his choice of descriptive word, not Simon's question.
146	* ''Series/HappyDays''. Richie catches Joanie and her friends with cigarettes and demands to know if she has been smoking. Joanie opens her mouth to answer with an indignant "No!" As she speaks, out comes a puff of smoke, forcing her to admit that she actually has been.
147	* Sylar does this in ''Series/{{Heroes}}''.
148	-->'''Sylar:''' I'm not a SerialKiller.\
149	'''Luke:''' You kill people, you take souvenirs...\
150	'''Sylar:''' Okay, [[VerbalBackspace technically]], I'm a serial killer.
151	* Sam Puckett from ''Series/ICarly'' and ''Series/SamAndCat'' did this a few times. Example: "I don't want to point at anyone or call any names, but someone gave him the wrong medication and someone's name is Cat"
152	* ''Series/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphia'': [[Recap/ItsAlwaysSunnyInPhiladelphiaS07E13TheHighSchoolReunionPart2 "The High School Reunion"]]: When Dennis confronts Mac over having sex with his date, Mac lies about it, for maybe two seconds.
153	-->'''Dennis:''' You slept with my prom date?\
154	'''Mac:''' No... ''Yes.''
155	%%* ''Series/JamAndJerusalem'' has Rosie, who uses this frequently when questioned about something she's done.
156	* In ''Series/KimsConvenience'', an elderly couple offers Mr. and Mrs. Kim a generous payment in exchange for giving up Mr. Kim's reserved gravestone (since it's right next to the elderly woman's reserved gravestone and she wants her husband's gravestone next to hers as a symbol of TogetherInDeath). The Kims are wary but are excited by the prospect of getting a lot of money. Before they can officially accept, however, the woman passes away and so her husband is left responsible. He wasn't added to his wife's will and has a more modest retirement income, so the money being offered decreases significantly. Disappointed but still trying to be sympathetic and polite, all Mr. and Mrs. Kim can say in response to the deal is, "Yeah. But no."
157	* From the ''Series/{{MASH}}'' episode "To Market, To Market", as Henry is polishing his new desk, he wants to brag to everyone coming into his office. This is an atypical example, because each time he does it (which he does to everyone he shows the desk off to) he's not actually listening to them. He's just glorying in having something cooler than ''[=MacArthur=]'' has.
158	-->'''Henry:''' Radar, you know what kind of wood this desk is made with?\
159	'''Radar:''' Oak, sir.\
160	'''Henry:''' Nope. It's oak.
161	* ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus'':
162	** This dialogue snippet between two pepper pots plays with it:
163	--->'''Mrs. Thing:''' Oh, have you been shopping?\
164	'''Mrs. Entity:''' No, I've been shopping.
165	** From the "Nudge Nudge" sketch:
166	--->'''Norman:''' Look, are you insinuating something?\
167	'''Him:''' Oh, no, no, no...yes.
168	** From "The Silliest Interview We've Ever Had"
169	--->'''Sir John''': May I take this opportunity of emphasising that there is no cannibalism in the British Navy. Absolutely none, and when I say none, I mean there is a certain amount...
170	* Used by Mark Lamarr on ''Series/NeverMindTheBuzzcocks'', usually along the lines of "...I like ''x''. I ''say'' like, I mean tolerate. I ''say'' tolerate, I mean (Description of elaborate torture he'd rather be put through rather than have anything to do with ''x'')"
171	* From ''Series/ParksAndRecreation'':
172	--> '''Leslie:''' Is this audit even real?\
173	'''Tammy One:''' In a sense, yes. But in another, truer sense, no.
174	* A good multi-part one from ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'':
175	-->'''Dr. Cox''': And this... abomination is the reason we can't afford a new computer?\
176	'''Dr. Kelso''': Well, that, and a little medical boondoggle I have to go to in Cleveland. And by "medical boondoggle" I mean "golf weekend". And by "Cleveland" I mean "Hawaii". ...Anyway, I have to go catch my bus to the airport. And by "bus" I mean "helicopter".
177	* From ''Series/{{Sesame Street}}'' during the skit where Kermit interviews Don Music about finding a rhyming lyric for the last verse of "Mary Had a Little Lamb".
178	-->'''Don Music:''' No, I don't think that'll work; lambs aren't yellow! I mean, who ever heard of a yellow lamb?!\
179	'''Kermit:''' Well, ''I've'' heard of a yellow lamb.\
180	'''Don Music:''' You have?\
181	'''Kermit:'''...well, not many.
182	* This snippet from ''Series/{{Skins}}'', when Naomi goes to visit Effy in her psychiatric institution.
183	-->'''Effy:''' You think you're going mad, so you came to see me to see what a crazy person looks like.\
184	'''Naomi:''' No. NO! No...yes.
185	* ''Series/SportsNight'' has:
186	-->'''Dan''': You went to a woman's apartment, and there you had wine. And there you had sex.\
187	'''Casey''': You are way off base. That is not what happened. Except, yes, that's what happened.
188	* ''Series/ThatMitchellAndWebbLook'': The interviewer in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtQNULEudss&feature=related "Realistic Film Director"]] sketch asks questions like this.
189	-->'''Interviewer:''' Peter, what would you say - and apologies if this seems like a crass question - is the horniest bra size on a woman?\
190	'''Director:''' What?\
191	'''Interviewer:''' By which I mean, what, if anything, is the message in your films?
192	* In ConspiracyThriller ''Series/{{Utopia}}'', [[ClassicalAntiHero hapless Dugdale]] is talking to [[ICouldaBeenAContender Donaldson]] about how they are both being [[TrappedInVillainy blackmailed by The Network]], it leads to this [[BlackComedyBurst amusing exchange]]:
193	-->'''Donaldson''': All I know was within the next few weeks I was embroiled in a sex scandal. Professor Pervert addicted to coke and prostitutes.\
194	'''Dugdale''': So did they just set you up?\
195	'''Donaldson''': Yeah. Well, no. {{beat}} I.. [[HookersAndBlow I do like cocaine and prostitutes]] but they didn't have to tell anyone.
196	* On ''Series/TheVicarOfDibley'', Jim Trott's "No, no, no, no, no...yes", which is his VerbalTic. And also his (rarely seen) wife: "Yes, yes, yes, yes...no".
197	* ''Series/{{Yellowjackets}}'':
198	** "[[Recap/YellowjacketsS2E4OldWounds Old Wounds]]": Shauna's reaction to her daughter Callie calling her out [[spoiler:on being a murderer]].
199	--->'''Shauna:''' No. No, no, no, no, no. I mean, sure... mmm... Yes.
200	** "[[Recap/YellowjacketsS2E5TwoTruthsAndALie Two Truths and a Lie]]": Misty tells Natalie that she and Walter are there at the cult's compound to rescue Natalie:
201	--->'''Misty:''' I mean, you-you were kidnapped, right?\
202	'''Natalie:''' No. Uh, yes, technically I was, but it's no big deal, okay? Lottie sent some people for me, but I'm not being held against my will. Anymore.
203	* ''Series/TheWestWing'':
204	-->'''President Bartlet:''' You told the press I have a secret plan to fight inflation?\
205	'''Josh:''' No, I did not. Let me be absolutely clear, I did not do that. Except, yes, I did that.
206	[[/folder]]
207
208	[[folder:Music]]
209	* Music/TheBeachBoys: "God Only Knows"
210	** The first verse:
211	-->I may not always love you\
212	but long as there are stars above you\
213	You never need to doubt it\
214	I’ll make you so sure about it
215	** The second verse:
216	-->If you should ever leave me\
217	Well, life would still go on, believe me\
218	The world could show nothing to me\
219	So what good would living do me?
220	* The third verse of "Strawberry Fields Forever" by Music/TheBeatles:
221	-->Always, no, sometimes think it's me,\
222	But you know I know when it's a dream,\
223	I think a "no", I mean a "yes", but it's all right,\
224	That is, I think I disagree.
225	* The Living End has a song called ''Short Notice'' with lyrics like:
226	-->I said I wanna, I wanna see you\
227	I really meant I wanna, I wanna leave you\
228	I said I wanna, I wanna touch you\
229	I really meant I wanna, I wanna punch you
230	* "Only on Days That End in 'Y'" by Music/ClayWalker:
231	-->The only time I ever miss you, honey\
232	Is when I'm alone or when I'm with somebody\
233	Your memory never even gets to me\
234	'Cept when I'm awake, and when I m sleeping\
235	Girl you never even cross my mind\
236	'Cept just when I think I left you far behind\
237	Only when I laugh, only when I cry,\
238	And only on days that end in "Y"
239	* Played with on "Maybe I Mean Yes" by Holly Dunn:
240	-->When I say no I mean maybe\
241	Baby, don't you know me yet?\
242	Nothing's worth havin' if it ain't a little hard to get\
243	So let me clarify so you won't have to try to guess\
244	When I say no I mean maybe, or maybe I mean yes
245	* "Except for Monday" by Music/LorrieMorgan
246	-->''When you said goodbye\
247	I learned a couple new dances\
248	I cast a couple of glances\
249	I'm on a big roll now\
250	Except for Monday, which was never good anyway\
251	Tuesday, I get a little side ways\
252	Wednesday, I feel better just for spite\
253	Thursday and Friday take too long\
254	Before I know it, Saturday's gone\
255	But it's Sunday now and you can bet that I'm all right''
256	* "Better Things To Do" by Terri Clark
257	-->You're wanting me to say I'm barely hanging on\
258	Well, maybe that was true for a night or two\
259	But now, I got better things to do\
260	I could wash my car in the rain\
261	Change my new guitar strings\
262	Mow the yard just the same as I did yesterday\
263	I don't need to waste my time crying over you\
264	I got better things to do
265	* "Flowers on the Wall" by Music/TheStatlerBrothers
266	-->''If I were walkin' in your shoes, I wouldn't worry none\
267	While you and your friends are worried about me, I'm havin' lots of fun\
268	Countin' flowers on the wall\
269	That don't bother me at all\
270	Playin' solitaire 'til dawn with a deck of 51\
271	Smokin' cigarettes and watchin' Captain Kangaroo\
272	Now don't tell me, I've nothin' to do''
273	* "Ocean Front Property" by Music/GeorgeStrait
274	-->''If you leave me\
275	I won't miss you\
276	And I won't ever take you back\
277	Girl, your memory\
278	Won't ever haunt me\
279	'Cause I don't love you\
280	And now if you'll buy that\
281	I've got some ocean front property in Arizona\
282	From my front porch, you can see the sea\
283	I've got some ocean front property in Arizona\
284	If you'll buy that, I'll throw the Golden Gate in free''\
285	* "Let's Get Married" by Music/TheProclaimers has the line "[[MenLikeDogsWomenLikeCats All right you can get a cat, just as long as it barks]]!"
286	* The Music/OleIvars joke song "Je har slutta å drekke brenn'vin" ("I Have Stopped Drinking Liquor") is about how the narrator has stopped drinking... expect for some beer and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akvavit akvavit]] to go with his [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnekj%C3%B8tt pinnekjøtt]], cognac for his "tea" meals, as well as some wine and [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karsk karsk]]...
287	[[/folder]]
288
289	[[folder:Radio]]
290	* ''Radio/JohnFinnemoresSouvenirProgramme:'' One Patsy Straightwoman interview has her dealing with an expert in talking to experts, who explains that most experts on interview shows are so intimidated they agree with any question put to them, no matter how stupid. He has managed to train himself to fight this, which has come out in this trope, initially agreeing and then giving the actual answer immediately after.
291
292	[[/folder]]
293
294	[[folder:Theatre]]
295	* In ''[[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Fellowship]]! TheMusical'', Frodo says he thought Sauron was killed. Gandalf responds: "Oh, he ''was'' killed. If by 'killed', you mean turned-into-a-giant-flaming-evil-red-eyeball, then SURE, you betcha he was 'killed'!"
296	[[/folder]]
297
298	[[folder:Video Games]]
299	* In ''VideoGame/SpiderManShatteredDimensions'', ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}, filming his battle with ComicBook/UltimateSpiderMan as a TV show, unleashes his army. "And by army I mean production assistants. And by production assistants I mean interns. And by interns I mean fans."
300	* In ''VideoGame/DanganronpaAnotherEpisodeUltraDespairGirls'', Komaru denies that she and her big brother Makoto get along well, saying that they only talk when snacking or talking about the manga they like. Toko points out that they ''are'' close, and Komaru admits that she just assumed other siblings were closer than she and Makoto were.
301	* From the "About the ''[[UpdatedRerelease Silver Screen Edition]]''" page in ''VideoGame/MysteryScienceTheater3000PresentsDetective'':
302	--> "This release is identical to the previous release, with a couple of exceptions that make it not identical to the previous release."
303	[[/folder]]
304
305	[[folder:Webcomics]]
306	%%* In ''Webcomic/GoGetARoomie'', [[http://www.gogetaroomie.com/index.php?id=209 Lillian answers two questions from Roomie in this form.]]
307	* ''Webcomic/DarthsAndDroids'' [[https://www.darthsanddroids.net/episodes/1821.html episode 1821]]:
308	--> "Is this another one of your brilliant plans?"
309	--> "I wouldn't call it brilliant... But it ''is'' pretty brilliant!"
310	* In ''Webcomic/LovelyPeople'', the "social credit" system awards points to people for various actions. Peony mentions that it's possible to gain points by buying Alizongle products and posting the pictures of those purchases on social media.
311	-->'''Marigold''': How much have you spent?\
312	'''Peony''': Not that much! Maybe a few thousand bucks so far.\
313	'''Peppermint''': Well, I'll take the non-bankrupting path.
314	* ''Webcomic/ScarletLady'': In "Animan", [[AlphaBitch Chloé]] intends to stalk Adrien in order to ruin his "date" with Marinette, while [[BeleagueredAssistant Tikki]] attempts to talk her out of it.
315	-->'''Tikki:''' Chloé, this is '''ridiculous'''. Adrien is free to date whoever he wants!\
316	'''Chloé:''' [[SubvertedTrope Of course he is!]] [[DoubleSubverted As long as it is me!]]
317	* In ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' Chapter 73: The Immortal King - Dedication:
318	--> '''Torg''': Want to hear about the childhood events that shaped me into [[CloudCuckoolander me]]?\
319	'''Zoë''': My guess is they're really weird and I'd like to maintain my intention to actually marry you.\
320	'''Torg''': Yeah, let's go with that.\
321	'''Zoë''': But seriously, you can share with me anything.\
322	'''Torg''': Of course.\
323	'''Zoë''': Except the weird stuff that made you ''you''.
324	* In TheRant to a ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'' [[https://www.gunnerkrigg.com/?p=88 strip]] in which Kat introduces Annie to [[ArtificialOutdoorsDisplay an artifical habitat within the Court containing a sunny meadow with a cherry tree]], Tom says "My school had one of these. No wait, they had a bike rack."
325	[[/folder]]
326
327	[[folder:Web Original]]
328	* ''WebVideo/AgentsOfCracked'' has with Michael: "If by "I want a hot dog" you mean "I want your junk in my mouth", then sure!"
329	* The FAQ from ''Website/TheBestPageInTheUniverse'' includes the question, "How often do you update your page?" His answer: "At least once every week. And by "once every week," I really mean "when I get a chance." And by "when I get a chance," I really mean never."
330	* Amy Ratcliffe [[http://nerdist.com/learning-water-dancing-from-game-of-thrones-syrio-forel/ describing her search]] for '[[Series/GameOfThrones water dancing]]' lessons at a convention.
331	-->''...we eventually tortured a volunteer for correct information. And by torture, I mean we looked sad and tired and frustrated.''
332	* WebSite/SFDebris' review of Creator/DavidLynch's ''Film/Dune1984'', discussing the changes in the Baron's character from the book:
333	--> "I hate to be all [[TheyChangedItNowItSucks "they changed him now he sucks"]]...but at the same time, they did change him, and now he really does suck."
334	* Paul O'Brien discussing the economic realities of the comics industry on ''Podcast/HouseToAstonish'':
335	--> It only balances out if there are enough readers that, collectively, what it's worth to them matches up with what it's worth to the creator, and if it ''doesn't'' match up, the entire system collapses. Now, I'm not saying it doesn't match up and the entire system's going to collapse, but it doesn't match up and the entire system's going to collapse.
336	* ''Nick's Strength and Power'' host Nick Miller, in a video posted August 6, 2020, speculated about a cryptic social media post by seven-time Mr. Olympia-winning bodybuilder Phil Heath. Phil hinted in this post, without saying it directly, that he intended to end his recent hiatus to try and reclaim the Olympia title he'd lost back in 2018.
337	--> '''Nick:''' "Now I’m not saying that Phil’s gonna come back, but I’m saying Phil’s gonna come back."
338	[[/folder]]
339
340	[[folder:Western Animation]]
341	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheAnimatedSeries'': In "Harley's Holiday", after Harley [[ItMakesSenseInContext accidentally kidnaps Veronica Vreeland]], her father, a general, comes to the rescue in a tank, prompting Harley to make a hairpin turn the opposite direction.
342	-->'''Veronica''': What are you doing, that's my father!\
343	'''Harley Quinn''': No, that's your father--[[TankGoodness IN A TANK!]]
344	* This is how WesternAnimation/DangerMouse defeats the anti-logic Gremlin in "Gremlin Alert," by confusing him with a "yes means no" LogicBomb.
345	* ''WesternAnimation/TheZhuZhus'' Zhu Land, Midge the Mighty stops the hamster car with her foot.
346	-->Nice try!\
347	"Nice" meaning "bad".
348	* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'':
349	** "Hairicane": When it seemed the Air Force would defeat the hairicane, Chet Ubetcha announced "We're saved!". Then the hairicane defeated the Air Force, prompting Chet to say "And by saved, I mean ''doomed''!"
350	** "I Dream of Cosmo": Timmy's Dad meets an amnesiac Cosmo and assumes Cosmo must be a [[ItMakesSenseInContext magical mix of witch and genie]] and says Cosmo must grant him ThreeWishes. By three, Timmy's Dad means a gazillion.
351	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'':
352	** "The Devil's Hands are Idle Playthings": "You may have to metaphorically make a {{deal with the devil}}. And by devil, I mean Robot Devil. And by metaphorically I mean get your coat."
353	** In "Viva Mars Vegas":
354	--->'''Zoidberg:''' You mean I'm invisible?\
355	'''Professor Farnsworth:''' No, no, no. Not in any sense of the word. But essentially, yes, entirely.
356	** In "The Sting"
357	--->'''Leela''': Are you saying I'm crazy?\
358	'''Farnsworth''': No, no. Nobody's saying that. But I'm certainly thinking it very loudly.
359	* ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'':
360	** "[[Recap/GravityFallsS2E13DungeonsDungeonsAndMoreDungeons Dungeons, Dungeons, and More Dungeons]]": Dipper tells Mabel "Yes, except no" when she asks if she gets to ride unicorns after rolling the die.
361	** Stan tells the author only the two of them are aware of the [[spoiler: portal.]] Well, just them and maybe the entire government of the UsefulNotes/UnitedStates.
362	--->[[spoiler:'''Ford Pines''']]: Tell me, Stan. Are there any security breaches? Does anyone else know about this [[spoiler:portal]]?!\
363	'''Stan''': No, just us. [[FalseReassurance Also, maybe the entire U.S. government]].\
364	[[spoiler:'''Ford''']]: [[ParrotExpoWhat The]] [[BigWhat WHAT?!]]
365	* A literal case happened in ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill''. Peggy was once asked to teach German and she answered "Nein", thinking it meant "Yes". As she related this to her niece, Peggy said she had lost an opportunity because of that.
366	* Used in an episode of ''WesternAnimation/MaryokuYummy'', with [[DeadpanSnarker Baburu]] commenting on Hadagi's latest scheme: "I can see this is going to be fun. And by fun, I mean no fun at all."
367	* ''WesternAnimation/PhineasAndFerb'':
368	** Doctor Doofenshmirtz does this about OnceAnEpisode, usually when Perry bursts in to foil his evil scheme of the week. There was at least one occasion where, by unexpected, Doof actually meant unexpected. And he sometimes isn't sure [[{{Metaphorgotten}} what he meant]] by other variations.
369	---> '''Doofenshmirtz:''' Ah, Perry the Platypus! What an unexpected surprise... and by unexpected I mean ''completely expected''!
370	** Major Monogram once said he wanted to approve Perry's request for a vacation but there was a small problem. He admitted that by "small" he meant "big" and by "approve" he meant "deny".
371	* ''WesternAnimation/RobotChicken'' has a skit where the Care Bears ethnically cleanse the Care Bear Cousins. Quoth Bedtime Bear: "It's bedtime! [[WouldBeRudeToSayGenocide And by 'bed', I mean 'ethnic', and by 'time', I mean 'cleansing']]". ''(Shoots a rainbow that decapitates the elephant)''
372	* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDoo'', Shaggy is heard to say:
373	--> "Scoob, there's a time and place for eating, which is all the time and every place. But not ''here'' and not ''now!''"
374	* ''WesternAnimation/ShimmerAndShine'': In "Ahoy, Genies", Shine admits that sometimes she gets carried over and, by "sometimes", she means "all the time".
375	* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
376	** In "Marge In Chains", Lionel Hutz explains to Marge why Judge Snyder is not on good terms with him: "Well, he's had it in for me ever since I kinda ran over his dog... Well, replace the word 'kinda' with the word 'repeatedly' and the word 'dog' with 'son'".
377	** Creator/LeonardNimoy introduces the episode "The Springfield Files" with, "The following tale of alien encounters is true. And by true, I mean false. It's all [[BasedOnAGreatBigLie lies]]. But they're entertaining lies, and in the end, isn't that the real truth? The answer is no".
378	** In "Grampa vs. Sexual Inadequacy":
379	--->'''Homer:''' I have to go do some serious thinking.\
380	'''Bart:''' I think Dad meant "do some serious ''drinking.''"\
381	'''Lisa:''' [[DeadpanSnarker That's what I assumed.]]
382	** In "Kill Gill Vols. 1 & 2", Marge has trouble saying no to freeloader Gil and when she finally gets the guts to, he's gone. Which leads to this...
383	--->'''Homer:''' Hey Marge! Want $1000?\
384	'''Marge:''' ''NO!'' I mean yes.\
385	'''Homer:''' Too late. ''[burns the money]''
386	** In "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS9E9RealtyBites Realty Bites]]", [[NewJobEpisode Marge works as a real estate agent]]. [[ShadyRealEstateAgent The whole office is okay with lying through their teeth to make a sale]], especially her boss, Lionel Hutz. The drama of the episode revolves around the fact that [[WillNotTellALie she is way too honest for her own good]], and then lied through omission to Ned Flanders that the dream home she sold his family is a murder house and [[HonorBeforeReason she will not feel comfortable having Ned's money because of the lie]], even after Ned makes clear [[NightmareFetishist he doesn't minds (heck, he actually likes) living in a murder house.]]
387	--->'''Lionel:''' Marge, I had a lot of calls about you! Customers love your "no pressure" approach.\
388	'''Marge:''' Well, like we say, "the right house for the right person!"\
389	'''Lionel:''' Listen, it's time I let you in on a little secret, Marge. The right house is the house that's for sale. The right person is anyone.\
390	'''Marge:''' But all I did was tell the truth.\
391	'''Lionel:''' Of course you did. But there's [[BrutalHonesty "the truth"]] (''disapprovingly shakes head''), and [[MetaphoricallyTrue "the truth"]]. (''nods head approvingly'')
392	* In the ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark'' episode "Cartman's Incredible Gift," the police come to Cartman, who has (supposedly) gained psychic abilities, and offer to pay him to help them catch a killer. Cartman replies, "I'm afraid that my powers are not for sale. And by that, I mean that they absolutely ''are'' for sale."
393	* Pushed to the extreme by Sasha in ''WesternAnimation/TitanMaximum'':
394	-->'''Sasha:''' We thought you'd given up on us. And by ''We'' I mean ''I'' and by ''thought'' I mean ''hoped'' and by ''given up'' I mean ''died'' and by ''on us'' I mean ''in a fire'' and by ''period'' I mean ''disappointed ellipses''.
395	* ''WesternAnimation/TotalDrama'': Worried about her inexperience with the guitar during a guitar play-along challenge in "[[Recap/TotalDramaRockNRule Rock 'n Rule]]", Lindsay wants to know if it's anything like the recorder because she knows how to play that. Chris answers that it indeed is a lot like the recorder, except that it's completely different.
396	* In the Risk episode of ''WesternAnimation/{{Undergrads}}'', Nitz calls on a friend to show up with an excuse to allow him to leave the game because he knows Gimpy will actively try to keep him from ditching:
397	--> '''Nitz:''' It's not that I don't trust Gimpy to let me leave but... I don't trust Gimpy.
398	* ''WesternAnimation/UncleGrandpa'', in "Driver's Test":
399	-->'''Uncle Grandpa:''' But do you know how to drive the Uncle Grandpa Way?\
400	'''Mary:''' You mean like [[DrivesLikeCrazy on top of buildings and in outer space and stuff]]?\
401	'''Uncle Grandpa:''' No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Yes.
402	[[/folder]]
403
404	[[folder:Real Life]]
405	* Pundit Creator/RachelMaddow consistently refers to the Republican Party's current (c. mid-2012) highest priority as "Jobs, jobs, jobs, and by that we mean 'abortion'."
406	* During the filming of the 1972 version of ''Theatre/UnderMilkWood'', Creator/RichardBurton reportedly told the director: "I'm not drinking on your film. And by not drinking, I mean just one bottle of vodka a day."
407	* In the review of the 1984 UsefulNotes/FormulaOne season, Creator/CliveJames commented on Alain Prost's retirement from the Italian Grand Prix at Monza:
408	--> '''Clive James:''' He looked for a nice quiet place to park where the sporting spectators wouldn't throw stones at him, but he couldn't find it, and they did.
409	%%* [[InvertedTrope Inverted]] by [[https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/well-yes-but-actually-no this meme]].
410	[[/folder]]

Context Main / ByNoIMeanYes