A
stock phrase used when a character hears something he doesn't like.
Compare/contrast
You Just HAD To Say It.
Examples
Anime & Manga
Comic Books
- This exchange from Neil Gaiman's The Sandman:
Delirium: Um. What's the name of the word for things not being the same always. You know. I'm sure there is one. Isn't there? There must be a word for it ... the thing that lets you know time is happening. Is there a word?
Dream: Change.
Delirium: Oh. I was afraid of that.
Fan Works
Film
- Snow Buddies.
Buddy: I guess we can add dog sledding to the family résumé. Do you think they've outgrown the need to explore?
Molly: Not a chance!
Buddy: I was afraid you'd say that.
- Iceman
Charlie, the Iceman: [brings a dark object to Brady]
Dr. Diane Brady: What's that?
Dr. Stanley Shephard: An offering. He wants you to eat it.
Dr. Diane Brady: I was afraid you'd say that.
- Lilo & Stitch
Grand Councilwoman: Take note of this. This creature is hereby sentenced to life in exile, a sentence that shall be henceforth served out here, on Earth. And as caretaker of the alien life form Stitch, this family is hereby under the protection of the United Intergalactic Federation. We'll be checking in now and then.
Mr. Cobra Bubbles: I was afraid you were going to say that. This won't be easy to explain back at headquarters.
Live-Action TV
- The O.C.
Seth: Well, if you need anything, I'll take the graveyard shift.
Ryan: I think we'll manage.
Seth: I was afraid you'd say that.
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "The Ascent"
[Odo has just been saved from the planet]
Odo: Quark?
Worf: We found him on top of the mountain slumped over a subspace transmitter.
Odo: You mean he made it?
Jadzia Dax: If it wasn't for his signal, we never would have found you. Looks like he saved both of your lives.
Odo: I was afraid you'd say that.
- Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Silicon Avatar"
Riker: Data, we've only seen the Crystalline Entity once before. How do you know these metals will protect us?
Data: I am not entirely certain they will, sir.
Riker: I was afraid you were going to say something like that.
- A recurring joke on Get Smart:
Max: Don't tell me [bad news]!
Someone Else: [Bad news].
Max: I asked you not to tell me that.
Western Animation
- Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day:
Tigger: Well, did I say I was hungry?
Pooh: I don't think so.
Tigger: Well then I'll say it. I'm hungry.
Pooh: Oh, not for honey, I hope.
Tigger: Honey? Oh, boy, honey! That's what Tiggers like best!
Pooh: I was afraid of that.
- Avatar The Last Airbender episode "The Avatar State".
Aang: I can only reach the Avatar State when I'm in genuine danger.
General Fong: I see. I was afraid you'd say that. [attacks Aang]
- G.I. Joe
Shipwreck: Do you expect me to talk, Cobra?
Shipwreck: I was afraid you'd say that!
- W.I.T.C.H. episode "Happy Birthday, Will"
Taranee: Maybe we should call the police?
Will: For this kind of problem, we *are* the police.
Taranee: I was afraid you'd say that.
- On Scooby-Doo, Shaggy often says this on hearing that (for instance) he and Scooby have to visit a scary place.