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6[[quoteright:196:[[Comicstrip/{{Garfield}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/youdidntseethat.png]]]]
7
8
9->''"You forget a thousand things every day. Make sure this is one of them."''
10-->-- '''Michael De Santa''', ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV''
11
12While Bob and Alice are going about their business, something happens that reveals a (possibly embarassing) fact about Bob he would rather have kept for himself.
13
14Two possible scenarios can follow:
15# Bob knows Alice saw everything and says something like, "Er... you didn't see that," or "You better forget you ever saw that."
16# Bob isn't sure whether Alice did see anything incriminating and asks her, "Did you see anything?" This can result in a SuspiciouslySpecificDenial.
17
18Can lead to LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain. In some cases, Bob may try to resort to LaserGuidedAmnesia to make sure Alice forgets what she saw.
19
20Sometimes, authors will have [[CanonDiscontinuity this reaction]] about a work they have [[CreatorBacklash backlash]] against, and then there are those things we all [[FanonDiscontinuity have never seen]]. This trope is not limited to sight, but can also be invoked for the other senses. Though sight and hearing are the most common examples, for [[{{Squick}} obvious reasons]]. There are also many non-romantic or embarrassing examples.
21
22See also ImplausibleDeniability. Compare IWasNeverHere, when Alice specifically [[strike:seeks out]] does not seek out Bob and IllPretendIDidntHearThat.
23
24May be connected to YouCanSeeThatRight.
25
26----
27!!Examples:
28
29[[foldercontrol]]
30
31[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
32* ''Literature/{{Baccano}}!'''s [[CompleteImmortality Luck Gandor]] takes this approach in ''Drugs & the Dominoes'' after a bookstore owner witnesses him get right back up after a hitman slit his throat. It's a bit easier to pull off when you're part of TheMafia.
33-->'''Luck:''' My, my, that was dangerous. If not for the timely rescue by this book, I'd probably have just died.
34-->'''Store Owner:''' Uh, but, that, no, blood...
35-->'''Luck:''' It was the cover of this book scattering everywhere- you saw wrongly. Because it was too sudden.
36-->'''Store Owner:''' But-
37-->'''Luck:''' [[EveryManHasHisPrice Aah, I must pay you back for this book.]]
38-->'''Store Owner:''' N-, no! I can't take your money...
39-->'''Luck:''' What that bastard cut just now was ''this book.'' Do you understand?... Very good. Only those who understand the times can stand out. The smart alone will succeed in business. Keep up the good work!
40* ''Anime/CrossAnge'': When Ange says goodbye to Tusk after her first meeting with him, she tells him to forget everything that happened during his AccidentalPervert moments:
41-->'''Ange:''' You didn't see anything, touch anything or [[ItMakesSenseInContext suck anything]], do you understand?
42* In ''Manga/OnePiece'', a very dark example happens when some Marines intercept communications between Dragon, leader of the Revolutionary Army, and his subordinate [[spoiler:Sabo]]. After [[spoiler:Sabo]], who's in the kingdom of Lulusia, reveals that [[spoiler:he saw someone sitting on the Empty Throne, and has learned of the existence of Imu, the secret ruler of the World Government]], someone tells the Marines that they did not intercept any communications and that [[UnPerson Lulusia never existed]], just as Lulusia is literally and figuratively wiped off the map.
43[[/folder]]
44
45[[folder:FanWorks]]
46* ''Fanfic/AdviceAndTrust'': Shinji, Asuka and Rei are talking with a classmate. When their classmate asks if Rei is implying Asuka and Shinji have had sex, Asuka denies it. Trying to placate her, the girl says that Shinji would obviously never do anything indecent with Asuka. Infuriated, Asuka replies that Shinji would anything he could with her, all night long, and beg for more. Then she pauses and mutters: "That didn't just happen and none of you remember anything. Or I will scoop out your brains and make a ''pie'', understood?"
47* ''Fanfic/TheChildOfLove'': In chapter 3 of the sequel while the pilots are changing Rei mentions Asuka has gotten fatter and her breasts bigger. Shinji tells the new kid he did not hear that, and Takuma answers "Hear what?"
48-->'''Asuka''':''"Well, someone messed up my measurements then! […] Ack! They got the chest measurement all wrong..."''\
49'''Rei''':''"No, it is more likely that your breasts have enlarged, due to the fact that you are a mother and currently breast-feeding a baby. Since the plug suits were never designed for the possibility that one of its users might have gone through pregnancy. Furthermore, you might have gained body fat during that period. […] I believe your bra size has increased by at least 3 sizes."''\
50'''Asuka''':''"What? […] Why you little! Just wait until you have kids! Then we'll see what happens to you!"''\
51'''Shinji''':''"I think you should forget what you just heard about my Asuka,"''\
52'''Takuma''':''"What...what? I didn't hear anything."''
53* ''Fanfic/DoingItRightThisTime'': When Maya unexpectedly says yes to Ritsuko's semi-jokingly asking if she wants to be her "torrid lesbian rebound fling", Ritsuko mutters: ''"Uh... We never had that conversation, okay?"'' [[spoiler: Then they have a RelationshipUpgrade ''anyway''.]]
54* ''Fanfic/SOE2LoneHeirOfKrypton'': In chapter seventh chapter's omake Shinji catches Asuka playing with dolls. She asks what did he see and he screams he did not see her playing with her dolls:
55-->'''Asuka:''' "What did you see?!"\
56'''Shinji:''' "Nothing! [...] I didn't see you playing with your dolls!"
57* In the ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'' KidFic ''FanFic/InsontisII'', at one point, as Kirk is chasing the pajama-clad Spock down the hall, he encounters Sulu and mutters for him not to say a word. Sulu responds, "Didn't see anything, sir."
58* ''Fanfic/PowersOfInvisibility'' has a variant, after Marinette accidentally transforms back from Ladybug in front of Juleka (and not for the first time, as she soon finds out):
59-->'''Marinette''': I don't suppose there's any way you didn't just see that?\
60'''Juleka''': See what?\
61'''Marinette''': (''perking up a little'') Wait, really?\
62'''Juleka''': No. (''snorts as Marinette deflates again'') We can talk about this later.
63* ''Fanfic/TheGreatAlicornHunt'': Chapter 22 sees Rarity meeting Mudpuppy. Mudpuppy is a {{Unicorn}} who nearly falls over but stabilizes herself at the last second [[WingedUnicorn with her wings]].
64--> '''Mudpuppy:''' You didn't see nuthin.
65* ''Fanfic/TwelveDaysOfSmashmas'': Samus says this to Marth, Roy and their respective wives in response to the mistletoe above her and Pit after she shoots it. They agree.
66[[/folder]]
67
68[[folder:Film — Animated]]
69* In ''WesternAnimation/Madagascar1'', after accidentally tunnelling into Marty's enclosure, the penguins tell him about their plans to escape into the wild before retreating back into the hole. Their leader Skipper is the last one to leave:
70-->'''Skipper''': [''slowly retreating''] You didn't see anything... [''abruptly pops back up''] Right?
71-->'''Marty''': Yes, sir-- I-I mean, no, sir.
72-->[''Skipper, satisfied, disappears into the hole'']
73[[/folder]]
74
75[[folder:Film — Live-Action]]
76* Towards the end of the film ''[[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_(film) Detroit]]'' (based on the [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algiers_Motel_incident Algier Motel Incident]] during the [[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1967_Detroit_riot Detroit riots of 1967]], a police officer demands that a man tell him that he doesn't see the two dead men lying on the floor of a room. When the man refuses to deny their presence, he becomes victim #3.
77* A particularly scary variant in ''Film/NoCountryForOldMen''; [[ImplacableMan Anton]] has just killed someone in front of a witness. The terrified witness asks if Anton is going to kill him too. Anton replies "That depends. Do you see me?" then the scene changes. We never find out how the witness answered that question, nor whether it was the right answer. Considering Anton's [[BlueAndOrangeMorality incomprehensible code]] yet apparent lack of concern for how much attention he draws to himself, it really is anybody's guess what Anton wanted to hear, or whether he would actually let the witness go upon hearing it, or whether it was simply rhetorical.
78* In ''Film/{{Spaceballs}}'':
79** Colonel Sandurz barges in while Dark Helmet is playing with his action figures.
80--->'''Dark Helmet:''' You didn't see anything, did you?\
81'''Colonel Sandurz:''' No, sir, [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial I didn't see you playing with your dolls again]]!
82** Also to a lesser extent, when the instant movie is played and they reach the point where the emergency brake was pulled.
83---> '''Dark Helmet:''' No, no, no. Go past this. Pass this part. In fact, never play this again.
84[[/folder]]
85
86[[folder:Literature]]
87* ''[[http://www.kipling.org.uk/poems_kingsjest.htm The Ballad of the King's Jest]]'' by Creator/RudyardKipling, about a rumour-monger throwing himself between the gears of the Great Game:
88--> And travelled, in hope of honour, far
89--> To the line where the gray-coat squadrons are.
90--> There have I journeyed too -- but I
91--> Saw naught, said naught, and -- did not die!
92* ''Literature/AscendanceOfABookworm'': Late in Part 4, Rozemyne accidentally finds out that [[spoiler:she has access to magical instructions on how to become Zent, which is required of the country's ruler but not fulfilled by the current king, who came to power after a civil war]]. Since she's not interested in actually using that information for its most obvious possible purpose, she's told by someone who knows said information to act as if she never discovered it.
93[[/folder]]
94
95[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
96* Done in ''Series/{{House}}'', when Amber sneaks out of Dr. House's office and escapes via Wilson's office. "IWasNeverHere."
97* One of the catch phrases of ''Series/TheFastShow'': "You ain't seen me. Roight."
98* In ''[[Series/NedsDeclassifiedSchoolSurvivalGuide Ned's Declassified]]'', Vice Principal Crubbs often says this when he's caught lazing around in his office when he's supposed to be doing something productive.
99* In the ''Series/RedDwarf'' episode "[[Recap/RedDwarfSeasonIMe2 Me2]]", Lister catches the Cat up to no good:
100-->'''Cat:''' "Did you see him clearly? Could you spot him in a parade? I don't think so. I could've been anybody."
101* ''Series/{{Seinfeld}}'': [[ItMakesSenseInContext Kramer's intern]] says that when Jerry went to the restroom, George washed his hands in Jerry's drink and then told the intern "This never happened."
102* Sgt. Schultz does this to ''himself'' often in ''Series/HogansHeroes'', as he knows that pressing the issue will just go worse for him somehow.
103--> I know ''nothing!'' I see ''nothing!''
104* In the fourth season finale of ''Series/TheBigBangTheory'', when Penny and Raj [[spoiler: [[BedMateReveal wake up naked in bed together]] after a drunken night]] Penny tells Raj "This never happened."
105* In the ''Series/StargateSG1'' episode "Avalon", when Colonel Mitchell tries to [[PuttingTheBandBackTogether convince Carter to join his team]]:
106-->'''Mitchell:''' What if the world needs saving?
107-->'''Carter:''' Well, if the world needs saving, I will be there to do what I can.
108-->'''Mitchell:''' What if the world needs saving [[NiceJobBreakingItHero because I screwed up]] because you weren't here in the first place.
109-->{{Beat}}
110-->'''Mitchell:''' How about we pretend I didn't say that?
111* One of the ending segments on ''Series/SesameStreet'' features Oscar the Grouch kissing his worm Slimey good-night and wishing him sweet dreams. Recalling that he's on TV, he tells the audience, "Hey, you didn't see that, all right? [[CatchPhrase Now scram!]]"
112* ''{{Series/Sherlock}}'' "[[Recap/SherlockS03E03HisLastVow His Last Vow]]":
113-->'''Mycroft Holmes''': "That name you think you may have just heard. You are mistaken. If you ever mention hearing that name, in this room, in this context, I guarantee you on behalf of the British Security Services that materials will be found on your computer hard-drives resulting in your immediate incarceration. Don't reply, just look frightened and ''[[GetOut scuttle]]''."
114* ''Series/{{MASH}}'': At the end of "Some 38th Parallels," Hawkeye has a bag of garbage dropped from a helicopter onto a colonel who took a rather "win some, lose some" approach to the death of one of his soldiers. As Col. Potter said:
115-->'''Potter:''' I didn't see it, but I loved every minute of it!
116* ''Series/LawAndOrderUK''. Chief Crown Prosecutor George Castle returns from an outing to find suspended Senior CP James Steele working on his defense with Junior CP Alesha Philips. The two fumble for an explanation, but George matter-of-factly declares, "I'm still at the Opera."
117* ''Series/TheBarrier'': The RichKidTurnedSocialActivist member of LaResistance finds out the hard way that she has mutual everyday life acquaintances with Álex, the person among the protagonists who tends to end up with the odd jobs (including contacting LaResistance). Her response to the encounter is to ask Álex to pretend he never saw her in the resistance headquarters.
118[[/folder]]
119
120[[folder:Music]]
121* If ''Music/{{Tommy}}'' is any indication, it's probably best not to use this one in front of an impressionable kid who just witnessed a murder, or he might take "You didn't hear it / You didn't see it" [[ExactWords literally]] and become blind and deaf.
122[[/folder]]
123
124[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
125* In an early ''Comicstrip/{{Garfield}}'' strip, Garfield walks up to Odie, [[DidntSeeThatComing pats him and walks on]]. In the final panel, Garfield [[BreakingTheFourthWall looks at the reader]] and says, "You didn't see that."
126** In a later ''Garfield'' strip, Odie licks Garfield, and the latter responds by taking a swing at the former. Odie ducks, Garfield misses, and Odie licks him again. The dog hops away victorious, for Garfield to point at the FourthWall saying "You didn't see that!"
127* One ''ComicStrip/TheBoondocks'' strip has Huey daydreaming and humming a song, then snap out of it and [[BreakingTheFourthwall tell the viewer]], "No offense to (name of band), but... you didn't hear that."
128[[/folder]]
129
130[[folder:Video Games]]
131* ''Videogame/FinalFantasyVII'': Cloud spends a tender moment with Tifa near the end of the game. Depending on how your RelationshipValues with her are, the scene can get more blatantly... physical. When you later come back aboard the airship and it becomes evident that the other party members know that they met up, Tifa will either say ''"Were you listening?"'' and stand a little awkward, or say ''"Were you watching?!"'' and fall on her knees in embarrassment.
132* Combines with LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain in ''Videogame/TakTheGreatJujuChallenge''. Lok's bad luck with animals (Being hated by fish and lusted for by apes) culminates in him being sat on by a mammoth. When Tak finally gets Lok free, the older warrior rather testily declares, ''"This didn't happen... '''DO YOU HEAR ME?!'''"''
133* Stavros invokes this trope in the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnwKNynuqYw Allied ending]] to ''VideoGame/CommandAndConquerRedAlert'', though it takes a repetition or two before the soldier to whom he's speaking [[LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain gets his drift]].
134-->'''Stavros''': I don't believe you heard me, private. ''I don't see anyone here''... do you?
135* Michael from ''VideoGame/GrandTheftAutoV'', being the NobleDemon he is, prefers to avoid collateral damage during his heists as much as possible; this brings him to say his {{Catchphrase}} whenever someone is on him. In-universe, it is said he took the quote from one of his favorite movies; this ends up being [[SomethingOnlyTheyWouldSay how Trevor finds him]] all those years after the North Yankton job. [[spoiler:In an optional phone call to Solomon Richards after [[GoldenEnding Ending C]], it's heavily implied that this quote was actually used in a LetUsNeverSpeakOfThisAgain scenario, which is ironic and fitting considering all the trouble it got Michael into.]]
136[[/folder]]
137
138[[folder:Web Original]]
139* [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic Rainbow Dash's]] comment to the reader on [[http://askdashedrainbow.tumblr.com/post/13132453026/you-didnt-see-that-got-it this Tumbler entry]].
140* In the WebVideo/{{Retsupurae}} video LetsPlay/BillyMC's [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzoKcdDg5rQ Christmas Adventure]], a poorly timed edit catches LetsPlay/{{Slowbeef}} and Diabeetus off-guard, making them think that he loaded a save state. The two "chide" him, telling him that they're gonna pretend they didn't see that and that they were going to look the other way.
141* When [=YouTuber=] [[https://www.youtube.com/c/NerdyCraftsies NerdECrafter]] makes a mistake or a fumble, she will often insist, "You saw NOTHING!"
142[[/folder]]
143
144[[folder:Webcomics]]
145* In ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'', where Marten walks in on Hanners... wearing underwear on her head and doing a ninja-stance, presumably inspired by Pintsize's 'Underwear Ninja' act in the previous strip.
146-->'''Hanners:''' If I karate-chopped you really fast, do you think you'd get amnesia about this?
147-->'''Marten:''' Nope, sorry. Probably not.
148* In ''Webcomic/LookingForGroup'', the undead warlock Richard loses his hood. For some reason, this causes him to act uncharacteristically politely while Cale stares in horror. After Cale gives him back his hood, Richard tells him "You didn't see anything." Cale can only stutter [[spoiler:"He's not dead."]]
149* In ''Webcomic/NSFWComix'', Becky comments on a [[http://nsfw-comix.com/nsfw216.htm sexy photo of a girl]] who's way out of Cuthbert's league:
150--> "It's a trap. He's a male. I can tell because he's using that clever camera angle that doesn't show off the manly features. And I've used it myself plenty of - Erm - Nobody heard that, right?"
151* In the ''Webcomic/SluggyFreelance'' "Nombie Apocalypse" storyline, after [=BunBun=] breaks free from the nombie brainwashing with a [[UnsoundEffect Cute lil' Bunny Barf]] he pointedly tells Riff: "[[PunctuatedForEmphasis This! Never! Happened!]]"
152* [[http://www.bluemilkspecial.com/?p=5130 Yoda's advice]] to the reader in ''Webcomic/BlueMilkSpecial'' after Luke pulls up [[TakeThatScrappy something surprising from the swamp]].
153--> '''Yoda:''' Ignore that, you will.
154* Used in ''Webcomic/EarsForElves'' after Luero catches Tanna tresspassing in the temple. She saw an injured dark elf there, who was meant to be a secret. Luero's words are likely for her own protection.
155-->'''Luero:''' Listen to me. Forget what you saw back there. Not a word. Not to anyone. This did not happen. Understand?\
156'''Tanna:''' But-\
157'''Luero:''' ''Understand?!!''\
158'''Tanna:''' I... understand...
159* In [[http://thewretchedones.smackjeeves.com The Wretched Ones]], Jack threatens to throw Nicky off a roof if he did not pretend he did not just see Jack use his teleportation power to save him... From falling off that same roof.
160* ''Webcomic/GunnerkriggCourt'': Donald Donlan catches himself making a [[http://gunnerkrigg.com/?p=1012 midly misogynistic remark]] to Antimony.
161-->'''Don:''' She wouldn't ask him out. '''She''' was waiting for '''him''' to do it.\
162I mean, you know how girls are~\
163uhh...\
164Motion to strike previous comment.\
165'''Antimony:''' Granted.
166[[/folder]]
167
168[[folder:Western Animation]]
169* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'', when Lisa is visiting Smithers, his PC starts up with an [[HoYay intriguing]] graphic of Mr. Burns.
170-->'''Computer:''' Hello Smithers,- you're- quite- good- at- turning- me- on.
171-->'''Smithers''' (to Lisa): Um... you probably should ignore that.
172** In "Home Away from Homer", when Bart and Milhouse watch a live webcast featuring two college girls doing sexy things, and they find out they're doing the show from neighbor Ned Flanders' house without his knowledge.
173--->'''Bart / Milhouse:''' ''FLANDERS?!''\
174'''Ned:''' That's odd. I could have sworn I just heard someone shriek my name.\
175'''Bart:''' Uh... you heard nothing!\
176'''Ned:''' Oh, that's better.
177* A RunningGag in the spin-off series ''WesternAnimation/ThePenguinsOfMadagascar''.
178* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/HarveyBirdmanAttorneyAtLaw'', after Phil Ken Sebben gets a rather bad haircut, he encounters Harvey in the bathroom and starts sobbing into the sink. "Tell me I'm pretty... I'm a pretty little girl - you didn't hear that."
179* In the ''WesternAnimation/DuckDodgers'' episode ''Enemy Yours'', Dodgers tries to impress the Martian Commander and his "Arch Nemesis" with an army of... five adorable kittens. After Dodgers' embarrassing retreat, The Eager Space Cadet remarks "L-l-let's pretend this never happened."
180* XR in ''WesternAnimation/BuzzLightyearOfStarCommand'' lost his arm while bragging about the qualities of the alloy of which he's made. "It's OK. Nobody saw that."
181** In another episode Buzz and Zurg team up to take down a force of extra-galactic invaders. After escaping the explosion of the mothership we see Buzz holding Zurg in his arms, bridal style. After they separate Buzz says "Nobody saw that."
182* In the ''WesternAnimation/KimPossible'' episode "Mind Games", a guard of a top secret facility finds out that the facility was robbed. He shouts out "The Neutronalizer!"... then looks at Kim's family (with whom he is having dinner). "Y'all weren't supposed to hear that."
183* ''WesternAnimation/EdEddNEddy'', after Edd's hat goes off for the very first time in "Stop, Look, and Ed":
184-->'''Edd''': If you say one word to anyone, I'll... I'll... never speak to you again!\
185'''Ed''' ''(with a skull on his head)'': I am dead from the neck up.\
186'''Eddy:''' I'll just save it for ammo when I need it, Double-Dee.\
187'''Ed:''' Eddy is always a step ahead.
188* Whenever Mr. Weatherbee witnesses something as a result of Sabrina's magic on ''The Archie Comedy Hour'', he would [[AsideComment turn to the camera and say]], "I didn't see that! I ''did not see that!!''"
189* In the second season premiere of ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'', when Grunkle Stan [[spoiler:was photocopying the pages in Dipper's journal on operating the Universal Portal before giving it back to Dipper]], Mabel's pig, Waddles, is watching.
190-->'''Stan''': ''(To Waddles)'' You didn't see nothing!
191* In the WesternAnimation/HeyArnold episode, "Stinky's Pumpkin", Ernie drives down the street showing off his new wrecking ball to Arnold and Stinky, only for him to accidentally swing it and knock over a fruit stand and then drives away while telling the boys, "You didn't see nothing".
192* ''WesternAnimation/TheHairBearBunch'' episode "Love Bug Bungle" had the zookeepers Peevly and Botch committed to a hospital padded room after Botch tells two police officers that they were chasing three bears on an invisible motorcycle. The keepers break out and pursue the bears. The two officers see them.
193-->'''1st Cop''': Same two kooks still chasing bears.\
194'''2nd Cop:''' Well, I didn't see it if you didn't.\
195'''1st Cop:''' I didn't see nothin'.
196* ''WesternAnimation/TheCupheadShow'': When Elder Kettle and the boys accidentally uncover an old billboard with an EmbarrassingOldPhoto of Elder Kettle as "Diaper Baby", he [[KillItWithFire burns it down with a flamethrower]], warning the boys that "You saw nothing."
197[[/folder]]

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