Line #38 Main/StuffedIntoATrashcan


1	[[quoteright:198:[[Webcomic/OzyAndMillie https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/20JockQuestions_2585.png]]]]
2	[[caption-width-right:198:Damn fifth question gets me all the time, too!]]
3
4	->'''Sharon''': Being entrapped in a dustbin is traumatic. You don't know ''what'' effect it could have!
5	->'''Tracey''': ''Oh'', you mean that's why you've always hung around with rubbish?
6	-->-- ''Series/BirdsOfAFeather'', "[[Recap/BirdsOfAFeatherS8E4Baggage Baggage]]"
7
8	Imagine a typical scene where a kid, not necessarily but often times a nerd or a {{Geek}}, meets a JerkJock and maybe even his little gang of miscreants in a schoolyard/park/alleyway/etc. The bullies pick on the helpless little guy, maybe even playing KeepAway with something that belongs to him or something, and eventually after beating the poor guy up they stuff him down a garbage can that's conveniently located in the area.
9
10	TruthInTelevision as it is done in real life by actual bullies. In Hollywood, this is sometimes PlayedForLaughs; when presented seriously, it is often used as an EstablishingCharacterMoment for TheBully and/or his victim, usually leading to PayEvilUntoEvil and RevengeOfTheNerd moments.
11
12	A related trope would be StuffedIntoALocker, although this happens ''much'' more. This trope has nothing to do with StuffedIntoTheFridge.
13
14	Sister trope of {{Swirlie}}. Compare GarbageHideout, in which a character deliberately hides in a trash can.
15
16	By the way, just so things are clear, [[Characters/SesameStreet Oscar the Grouch]] is not related to this trope at all.
17
18	----
19
20	!!Examples:
21
22	[[foldercontrol]]
23
24	[[folder:Advertising]]
25	* Happens in [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JJaklYpcLM this PIF]] from Tidy Britain Group where a guy after he littered in front of the Tidy-man, ends up learning the hard way by being grabbed and [[BewareTheNiceOnes shoved in a bin by the Tidy-man]].
26	[[/folder]]
27
28	[[folder:Comic Book]]
29	* In an issue of ''ComicBook/TheAvengers'', a guy on the street tells ComicBook/SheHulk that he loves her "green body paint" and [[CasanovaWannabe asks if she needs any help removing it]]. Maybe he was drunk and didn't also notice that she was [[BullyingADragon almost seven feet tall]]; nonetheless, Jen responds by stuffing him into the nearest trashcan.
30	[[/folder]]
31
32	[[folder:Fan Works]]
33	* In the ''WesternAnimation/FostersHomeForImaginaryFriends'' fanfic ''FanFic/MoreThanMyFriend'' this is PlayedForDrama. Mac gets stuffed into a trash can by Terrance and his drug-affiliated friends after he [[spoiler: trashes a large amount of drugs he was supposed to deliver]]. They proceed to kick the trash can mercilessly. They only stop when Frankie appears and beats them up.
34	* PlayedForDrama and ''weaponized'' in Chapter 25 of ''FanFic/WhatIsAPersonWorth'' when bullies after [[WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse Lincoln Loud]] stuff Ronnie Anne into a trash cash to take her out of the fight. In a SurprisinglyRealisticOutcome moment, she swallows garbage on top of the injuries she got from being stuffed into the can and then it being thrown while she was inside and becomes ill.
35	* In ''Fanfic/TheUnexpectedRookie'', Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are made to rebuild Luigi's tower of tires after they knocked it over. While doing so, they get into an argument with Luigi and Guido, and end said argument by stuffing Guido into a dumpster. Prime makes sure that the twins are punished for this and personally apologizes to the tire shop owners.
36	* In ''Fanfic/AmazingFantasy'', Peter tosses one of the Rocket Racers into a dumpster. He decides to web the lid shut for good measure.
37	[[/folder]]
38
39	[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
40	* Inverted in the 1982 musical ''Film/{{Annie\|1982}}'' when the title character does this to a bully instead of the other way around.
41	* At the beginning of ''Film/AsGoodAsItGets'', Melvin shoves Verdell the dog down the apartment garbage chute.
42	* The Turtles do this to Keno, the pizza guy in ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtlesIITheSecretOfTheOoze'', but it's for his own good.
43	** It also happens in the [[Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1990 first film]], ending the fight between Casey and Raphael after Casey nails Raph with a cricket bat, sending him flying into a trash can.
44	* In ''Film/TheNeverendingStory'' (the film), Bastian gets his lunch money stolen and tossed into a dumpster. In the end, he gets his revenge when [[spoiler:he terrifies the bullies by pursuing them on a flying luckdragon and they [[GarbageHideout hide in the dumpster themselves]]]].
45	* In ''Film/TheGarbagePailKidsMovie'', to prevent Dodger from interfering with the fashion show, the bullies toss him into a dumpster. Only problem with this plan? He could just as easily get out of the dumpster, which he does.
46	* In ''Film/TheSpyNextDoor'', Ian’s bullies throw him in a trash can after giving him a {{wedgie}}.
47	* In ''Film/{{Shorts}}'', this is what the main character has to endure ''every day'': stuffed head first in a trash can. It gets better though, as the girl who does it to him becomes his girlfriend.
48	* In ''Film/MaxKeeblesBigMove'' the title character is thrown by [[TheBully Troy McGinty]] into a ''dumpster''. [[spoiler:Later, all the rest of the students, seeking revenge on [=McGinty and Dobbs=], [[BookEnds toss]] ''[[BookEnds them]]'' [[BookEnds in the same dumpster]].]]
49	* In ''Film/WhenEvilCalls'', spotty boy Neville gets stuffed into a recycling bin, and a lump of concrete is placed on the lid to stop him getting out. Overnight, rats get into the bin and chew most of his face off.
50	* A non-bullying example occurs in ''Film/{{Bumblebee}}'' when Bee sticks Carlie in a (thankfully empty) garbage dumpster in an attempt to protect her before he fights Shatter and Dropkick. It doesn't really work as she's sent flying by an errant missile that nearly hits the dumpster.
51	* ''Film/Molly1983'': [[spoiler:Jones finally gets fed up with Molly and shoves a bag with her in it into a trash can. A worker empties the trash can into the garbage truck. Maxie manages to grab the bag from the truck at the last second.]]
52	* Happens to bumbling French cop Emilien in the first ''Film/{{Taxi}}'' when he [[DidntThinkThisThrough thought it was a good idea]] to hide in the trunk of a gang of Mercedes-driving bank robbers when they searched for new tires. The RunningGag of the series has him [[TrashLanding landing in other trash containers]] after jumping otherwise.
53	[[/folder]]
54
55	[[folder:Literature]]
56	* This is one of the humiliations suffered by the protagonist of ''Literature/TheEighteenthEmergency'' by Betsy Byars.
57	* ''Literature/ThePlantThatAteDirtySocks'': Happens twice to Michael (owner of the titular plant)'s younger brother Norman. In the first book, as Michael is sorting the piles of junk in his side of the room into boxes, Norman tries to jump over said boxes and falls into the one marked "Throw Out or Give Away". In the second book, the family has rented an RV and is going to Florida for their vacation. Norman, who is up and about when they're moving, loses his balance, causing him to fall backwards into a plastic trash can and get stuck, much to Michael's amusement.
58	* In ''Literature/TheNeverendingStory'', Bastian mentions that kids once did this to him, when he tried to respond to their insults.
59	* In the ''Literature/{{Illuminatus}}'' prequel, ''The Historical Illuminatus:The widow's Son'', Irish fisherman Seamus Muadhen is tortured this way by British soldiers in Dublin Castle. A large bucket is placed over his head and it is pounded with rifle butts, causing injuries, excruciating pain, and burst eardrums. As Seamus said, the Brits who tortured him have converted a mere fisherman into an Irish Republican who will seek vengeance, so go and eat shit, Englishman. Seamus gets his revenge years later as commanding officer of an Irish Legion in the American War of Independence.
60	[[/folder]]
61
62	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
63	* Played with in an episode of ''Series/BellaAndTheBulldogs'' called "''Pretty in Stink''". In the episode, Bella's two friends stuff her into a trash can, however, it wasn't to be mean. It was to keep her out of her crush's sight while she went without showering that whole week as part of a sports ritual.
64	* This happens fairly frequently in ''Series/{{Glee}}'':
65	** Puck throws Kurt in a dumpster in the pilot.
66	** Early in the series the {{Jerk Jock}}s trapped Artie in a porta-john and tipped it over onto the door side. He wasn't found until the next day. Note that in RealLife [[FridgeHorror this would have serious health ramifications for Artie]] and criminal charges for the guys who did it.
67	* It happens in the Peruvian series ''Esta Sociedad''.
68	* This occurs to Gibby from ''Series/ICarly''.
69	* On ''Series/{{Cheers}}'', diminutive Lilith did this to her twice-her-size husband Series/{{Frasier}} after he threw away her dead pet rat before she could give it a "proper burial".
70	* They did this to Rick on ''Series/{{Degrassi\|TheNextGeneration}}''.
71	* Happened in ''Series/LoisAndClark''. Clark (disguised as a barkeep) ejected Lois from a mob-controlled club, carefully using his x-ray vision to toss her into the dumpster full of spoiled vegetables -- and ''not'' the dumpster full of harmless paper shreddings. Superdickery, indeed.
72	* In the ''Series/StarskyAndHutch'' episode "The Crying Child," an abusive mother leaves her eight-year-old son in a trash can in the garden shed after she beats him.
73	* Part one of the ''Series/MalcolmInTheMiddle'' episode "Company Picnic" sees Reese paired with a bully just like him for the Scavenger Hunt. They come to blows over making no progress until they see two kids with most of what they need. Said kids are tossed into trashcans nearby while Reese and his accomplice make off with their stuff.
74	[[/folder]]
75
76	[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
77	* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'': One story arc has Calvin having to clean his room. Calvin (badly) tries to offload the job to Hobbes by making himself the "organizer" who sits and tells Hobbes to pick up everything he tells him to. Hobbes responds by picking ''Calvin'' up and tossing him in the wastebasket.
78	* The infamous comic cat, ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'', has done this at least once to his gray kitten friend, Nermal.
79	* A recurring theme in the Australian newspaper comic, ''Ginger Meggs''.
80	* ''ComicStrip/BeetleBailey'' offers some variants, with Sarge playing the part of the bully to Beetle or Beetle hiding in the trashcan from him:
81	** Beetle hides in a trashcan, falls asleep, gets taken in with the trash, and is angry that Sarge won again without even knowing it.
82	** Beetle hides in one of three trash cans and, rather than trying to find out which, Sarge shuffles them around like a ShellGame.
83	** Sarge has beaten Beetle into a pulp as usual, but after being told he can't just leave him like that conscientiously puts him in a trashcan.
84	[[/folder]]
85
86	[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
87	* Variation, in {{garbage wrestling}} matches, it's common to stuff a trash can over the head of the opponent, as it both blinds them and restricts their arms. Sure, it also ''protects'' their upper torso but banging on the can can't be good for the ears.
88	* [[Wrestling/DGenerationX The New Age Outlaws]] disposed of Wrestling/{{M\|ickFoley}}ankind in a dumpster after having defeated him in a handicap match.
89	* Wrestling/{{Kane}} tried to dispose of Wrestling/ShaneMcMahon in a dumpster, after he had lit its contents on fire, [[HoistByHisOwnPetard but ended up falling in himself]].
90	* {{Masked luchador}}a Tsunami is infamous for beating her opponents to bloody pulps and then dumping them in trash cans after they are defeated.
91	* During the unauthorized ''Wrestling/{{R\|ingOfHonor}}OH A Night Of Hoopla'', Eddie Edwards stuffed television champion Matt Taven inside a garbage can.
92	[[/folder]]
93
94	[[folder:Theatre]]
95	* In the IndulgentFantasySegue that opens ''Theatre/{{Fangirls}}'', Harry stuffs a unfortunate police officer in a wheelie bin before running away with Edna.
96	[[/folder]]
97
98	[[folder:Video Games]]
99	* In the video game, ''VideoGame/{{Bully}}'', you get to stuff other people into trashcans if close enough; the beating is optional. This has acted as slight VideoGameCrueltyPunishment in that sometimes you want to beat the victim, not stuff him.
100	** Oddly, while victims are stuffed in and helpless, Jimmy can dive in voluntarily to hide, with no problems getting out once the heat is down and the prefects finish [[FailedASpotCheck failing their Spot checks]]. Lockers work the same in both situations.
101	*** Well, it's probably because he shoves them in ass-first. If you've ever thought it would be a good idea to sit on something similar to a trashcan with an opening like that, chances are you'll need help getting out.
102	* Some ProfessionalWrestling games reverse the trope if a garbage can is nearby; they may let you stuff the can onto a wrestler, rather than vice versa.
103	* In ''VideoGame/{{Deltarune}},'' [[BarbaricBully Susie]] does this to a [[TheGoomba Rudinn]] in order to escape her jail cell. Subverted, as the Rudinn really did jump in voluntarily and even wants to invite his friends in.
104	-->'''Susie:''' I uh, [[CassandraTruth "invited" him to the trashcan]].
105	-->'''Rudinn:''' Thanks for inviting me! This trash can's really great!
106	* In ''VideoGame/{{Skullgirls}}'', Beowulf has a special grapple attack where he shoves his opponent into a trash can and kicks them away. The move functions as a [[SwitchOutMove snapback]].
107	* Solid Snake in ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'' will sometimes use a dumpster as a hiding spot.
108	* In the GameOver sequence of the UsefulNotes/ArcadeGame ''APB'', the other cops beat Officer Bob up and dump him into a trashcan. Occasionally, they toss him into the back of a police van instead.
109	* In ''VideoGame/SleepingDogs2012'', Wei can toss people into open dumpster bins if they drag them to one.
110	* In ''VideoGame/{{Undertale}}'', Undyne picks up Alphys with an EffortlessAmazonianLift and tosses her into a trashcan.
111	[[/folder]]
112
113	[[folder:Webcomics]]
114	* In ''Webcomic/JoyToTheWorld'' this repeatedly happens to Joy, when she picks fights with the school bully.
115	* ''Webcomic/JupiterMen'': After getting the hang of her SuperStrength, Jackie subdues a member of the Titans by throwing an entire dumpster on top of him, leaving him banging on the walls to get out.
116	* This has been done to Ozy from the ''Webcomic/OzyAndMillie'' webcomic countless times by the school's JerkJock, Jeremy.
117	* In a ''Webcomic/PennyAndAggie'' [[WholeEpisodeFlashback flashback]], teenage Lynda does this to her future husband Rob after one too many flirtatious pranks on his part.
118	* Also happens to Roger in ''Webcomic/TheWhiteboard'', though often he deserved it. Seriously you'd think a guy who makes railguns in his free time would know not to play pranks on a polar bear.
119	* ''Webcomic/SandraAndWoo'' has its own inversion as well when [[http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2009/04/06/0048-immoral-insight/ Cloud does this to Ralph]], TheBully, after he beat another student. Done a second time by Sandra to Larisa [[http://www.sandraandwoo.com/2010/02/08/0136-theres-still-hope/ after one biting remark too many]].
120	* Happens to Sarah as a running gag in ''Webcomic/{{Unreality}}''
121	[[/folder]]
122
123	[[folder:Western Animation]]
124	* This happened on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' a couple of times:
125	** In 'Bart The General', Bart was stuffed into a trashcan by Nelson and his [[ChuckCunninghamSyndrome now missing cronies]] two or three times and rolled down a hill. (And when it stopped rolling, he ''coughed up his own hat.'' Apparently, Nelson made him eat it.)
126	** Barney Gumble was once stuffed into a trashcan by boxer Smokin' Joe Frazier. [[WhatCouldHaveBeen Originally]] it was supposed to be ''Joe Frazier'' who was to be stuffed into a trashcan by ''Barney''. However, it was changed under the advice of Joe Frazier's son. [[RuleOfFunny It was also funnier this way.]]
127	** In the parody of ''Series/TwentyFour'', Bart jams a trashcan on Nelson's head and pounds on the can to [[JackBauerInterrogationTechnique get Nelson to talk]].
128	* The ''WesternAnimation/HeyArnold'' episode "Longest Monday" was about this. It was a yearly tradition for the fifth graders to stuff the fourth graders into trash cans on "Trash Can Day," and Arnold and the other fourth graders worked together to figure out a way to get home safely without being canned. They get through the whole day going through many perils to escape the fifth graders, [[spoiler:only to be betrayed at the last second by a false Samaritan and getting canned anyway. After it's over though, they decide it wasn't as bad as they expected, and are considering doing the same once they're in the fifth grade.]]
129	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Recess}}'': Gelman does this to Gus in an episode.
130	* Betty and Veronica actually do this to Archie in ''WesternAnimation/ArchiesWeirdMysteries'' after Reggie coaxes them on with the idea that Archie was stringing them along.
131	* This happens regularly to Templeton in ''Series/StrangeHillHigh''.
132	* Courtney from ''WesternAnimation/AsToldByGinger'' went from being the most popular girl in middle school to a bully victim come high school. One episode involved some older girls flushing ''both'' of her cellphones down the toilet, banning her from the girl's bathroom, and stuffing her in a garbage can.
133	* ''WesternAnimation/TheWrongTrousers'': At the end of the film, the Techno Trousers were stuffed in a trashcan outside Wallace and Gromit's house. Funnily enough, they just happen to walk off by themselves into the sunset.
134	* ''WesternAnimation/RockosModernLife'': In the Rocko's Modern Life episode “Turkey Time”, Rocko and Heffer were stuffed into trash cans by an angry mob after serving a vegetarian turkey to the O-Town citizens.
135
136
137	[[/folder]]
138
139	[[folder:Real Life]]
140	* Frequently happened in Ukraine after the Euromaidan to officials and politicians who were deemed corrupt and/or treacherous by local [[PowderKegCrowd Powder Keg Crowds]]. This practice was dubbed "people's [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lustration lustration]]" or "trash lustration".
141	[[/folder]]

Context Main / StuffedIntoATrashcan