Line #31 Main/YouKnowWhatToDo


1	-> ''"There's a group of Cohocks down by the shoreline. I'll leave a cannon. You know what to do."''
2	-->-- '''Mr. Grizz''', ''VideoGame/Splatoon2''
3
4	A StockPhrase, generally delivered by a superior or employer to their subordinates, implying they engage in some piece of procedure or protocol that they are familiar with. Expect it to be immediately followed by a SmashCut to the characters engaging in the implied act. Can be used dramatically or comically, but either way the point of the phrase is either a simple ploy to keep the audience from knowing what the characters are up to, or just to avoid the redundancy of having a character describe an act, only to immediately show it being carried out.
5
6	[[FridgeLogic If you think about it]], this is really a very odd phrase to use in a regular professional capacity, as that kind of vagary can easily lead to misunderstandings and somewhat belies the usefulness of giving orders in the first place. But it can be {{justified\|Trope}} when the order is given over an insecure channel, like a public telephone, to avoid incrimination. Often the "you know what to do" involves [[DeadlyEuphemism killing somebody]]. May be an attempt to maintain PlausibleDeniability. May involve nonverbal communication like handing someone something or a SecretMessageWink. May be subverted, if the recipient decides to turn the tables and do something unexpected, or just misunderstands and [[AreYouPonderingWhatImPondering takes the phrase in a different way than intended]]. Still, despite its particular age, this trope is more often played straight than lampshaded.
7
8	See also UnspokenPlanGuarantee.
9
10	----
11	!!Examples:
12
13	[[foldercontrol]]
14
15	[[folder: Films -- Animated]]
16	* ''WesternAnimation/ToyStory1''
17	-->'''Woody:''' Sergeant, establish a recon post downstairs. Code Red. You know what to do.
18	[[/folder]]
19
20	[[folder: Films -- Live-Action]]
21	* ''California Frontier'' (1938)
22	-->'''Mal Halstead:''' And in case you should happen to find any Mexicans camping out on the place, you know what to do.\
23	'''Buck Pearson:''' Why, no. Just exactly what do I do?\
24	'''Mal Halstead:''' Throw 'em off! They don't belong there. And if they holler, gun 'em off! This land is for Americans.
25	* ''Film/CatsAndDogs''
26	-->'''Mr. Tinkles:''' If they ever show their faces again, you know what to do.\
27	'''Calico:''' Yes. Tell them to wash with a loofah sponge. Kidding! Hello? Joke!
28	* ''Film/HotShotsPartDeux''
29	-->'''Topper Harley:''' You're the only one that knows how to get to the copter pad. If I'm not there in 15 minutes, you know what to do.\
30	'''Colonel Walters:''' Yeah, we get the hell out of here!\
31	'''Topper Harley:''' No! Wait another 15 minutes!
32	* ''Revenge of the Ninja''
33	-->'''Braden:''' Keep an eye on the girl and don't let her out of the house. If she gives you any trouble you know what to do.
34	* ''Film/WarAndPeace1956''
35	-->'''Dolokhov:''' ''[re: French prisoners]'' Take them away! You know what to do with them!
36	* In ''Film/HotFuzz'', after Chief Inspector Butterman is finally convinced that the scene of an "accident" might be a murder, he rattles off orders to each of the police officers on the scene, finishing with this phrase to the two main characters. Cut to them standing around, holding down the crime scene.
37	* Subverted in ''Film/ReignOfFire'':
38	-->'''Quinn''': Anything happens, you know what to do.
39	-->'''Creedy''': Errr... no, I have no idea.
40	-->'''Quinn''': Me neither.
41	* ''Film/StarshipTroopers'': Rico's sargeant utters this but the movie makes it pretty clear [[MercyKill what that means]].
42	* The Witch says this to Maugrim in ''Literature/TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' as she sends him to hunt down the Pevensies.
43	[[/folder]]
44
45	[[folder: Literature]]
46	* In ''Literature/DragonBones'', Oreg to Ward. Subverted in that he's Ward's slave, not his boss. [[spoiler: Played straight in that it involves killing. Killing Oreg, that is.]]
47	[[/folder]]
48
49	[[folder: LiveAction TV]]
50	* ''Series/KyleXY'' episode "The List Is Life"
51	-->'''Emily Hollander:''' You know what to do.\
52	'''Jessi XX:''' Mingle and blend in.
53	* Variations of this were used ''all the time'' on ''Series/TheWestWing''. The implication is that the characters were all so smart and good at their jobs and in tune with each other that they could leave some things unsaid. Unfortunately, the audience sometimes ended up confused. Charlie (black) goes out with Zoey (white, and the President's daughter). Bartlett tells him: "You go out with Zoey, you're gonna get your picture taken. And you'll get letters. You know what to do with them?" Charlie just nods. The standard listen-to-your-heart Aesop would be "throw them in the trash", and many viewers might assume that's what is meant. But in the West Wing, of course, the real answer is "Hand them in to the Secret Service for exhaustive forensic analysis!"
54	* ''Series/{{Angel}}''. Used for a BaitAndSwitch in "Double or Nothing". Angel is playing an AbsurdlyHighStakesGame that if he loses will cost him his soul (which will turn him evil). He hands Cordy a wooden stake and says she knows what to do if that happens, implying a StakingTheLovedOne scene. When Angel does lose the game, Cordy instead rams the stake through the BigBad's palm, holding him in place so Angel can lop off his head.
55	[[/folder]]
56
57	[[folder: Video Games]]
58	* In the intro to ''VideoGame/BrainDead13'', this one is spoken by Dr. Nero Neurosis to Fritz when describing his plan to [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness kill Lance after fixing his computer]].
59	* ''VideoGame/CubeEscape:''
60	** In both Paradox and Hotel, [[BirdPeople Mr. Crow]] will hand you a knife in the forest and claim that "You know what to do." (Which tends to only be [[MindScrew partially true]] at times).
61	** Later, within a flashback in The White Door, the bartender of the Rusty Lake Theatre (who is [[spoiler: actually Mr. Crow]]) hands Bob a revolver and states, "Mr. Hill, You know what to do."
62	* During a Salmon Run shift in ''VideoGame/Splatoon2'', this is how MysteriousEmployer Mr. Grizz instructs your crew to deal with a Cohock Charge. Considering that he gives you a [[{{BFG}} cannon]] specifically for this event, it's not hard to figure out [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill what he wants you to do]].
63	* ''VideoGame/ZeroWing'': In the opening cutscene, after CATS reveals to the crew [[AllYourBaseAreBelongToUs that all their base are belong to him]], the Captain [[FighterLaunchingSequence orders the ship to take off every ZIG]], and makes sure to tell the pilots this as they proceed to move ZIG ForGreatJustice.
64	-->[[TranslationTrainWreck You know what you doing.]]
65	[[/folder]]
66
67	[[folder: Web Animation]]
68	* ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'', Sarge gives a RousingSpeech in ''Revelation'' (Season 8), ending with…
69	-->'''Sarge:''' You do, what you gotta do Private Grif.
70	-->'''Grif:''' (groans) I'll go get my car keys.
71	[[/folder]]
72
73	[[folder:Western Animation]]
74	* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy''
75	-->'''Lois Griffin:''' Peter, give Chris a spanking.\
76	'''Peter Griffin:''' Okay. Chris, I'm watching the game. You know what to do.\
77	''[Chris begins spanking himself]''
78	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'': In "A Fishful of Dollars", [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Mom]] uses a security video to instruct her sons on how to bankrupt the newly-rich Fry.
79	-->'''Mom:''' You know what needs to be done.
80	-->'''Larry:''' What?
81	-->'''Mom:''' [[HairTriggerTemper GET HIS]] [[DepartmentOfRedundancyDepartment PIN NUMBER]], [[SurroundedByIdiots YOU IDIOTS!]]
82	* In ''WesternAnimation/DonkeyKongCountry'', King K. Rool sends Klump and Krusha find out what's causing a banging noise that's keeping all of Kongo-Bongo Island awake (it's Eddie the Mean Old Yeti, by the way). While communicating with them, K. Rool notices the [[MacGuffin Crystal Coconut]] [[ItMakesSenseInContext flying around.]]
83	-->'''K. Rool:''' It's heading for the Barrel Factory! You know what to do!
84	-->'''Klump:''' Yes, sir! Put a stop to the banging, sir!
85	-->'''K. Rool:''' ''(Sputters) No, you lunkhead!''
86	-->'''Klump:''' Uh...silence Krusha?
87	-->'''K. Rool:''' ''I'll'' take care of the yeti, ''you'' get me that coconut! ''Now!''
88	* In ''WesternAnimation/StarWarsCloneWars'', Obi-Wan addresses an ARC trooper squad ahead of their special mission.
89	-->'''Obi-Wan Kenobi:''' ARC troopers, you have been selected for this task because you are the best, the elite, you all know what to do. The success of your mission is our key to a swift victory. When you get into position, send word as planned. Then I will join you.
90	[[/folder]]

Context Main / YouKnowWhatToDo