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Bait-and-Switch Comment

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And we'd like to compliment the good job your hairstylist did... that is, if you needed one!

"Relax, Simpson. I just brought you in here for a friendly hello...
...and goodbye! YOU'RE FIRED!
But, wait. Perhaps I'm being too hasty. You are highly skilled...
...AT GOOFING OFF!
Now don't worry, Homer. You're the kind of guy I could really dig...
...A GRAVE FOR!
Your indolence is inefficacious!…
…THAT MEANS YOU'RE TERRIBLE!"

Someone seems at first to be saying one thing, but as they continue, they turn out to be saying something very different. Bonus points if what they turn out to be saying is the polar opposite of what they at first seemed to be saying.

One form of this is to start with an analogy that is typically used in favour of perspective X... only to go on to describe why it makes more sense to use this analogy against perspective X instead. Another common one is "This isn't good... this is great" or "I didn't like it... I loved it." The fancy rhetorical term for this is paraprosdokian. If the character really was meaning to say the first thing, and then changed their mind, it's a Last-Second Word Swap or Verbal Backspace.

Subtropes include:

Comedic uses of this trope can often involve Comically Missing the Point and/or Skewed Priorities, with the audience and the listener expecting the speaker to say the sensible thing, only for them to say something that dashes those hopes.

Compare Distinction Without a Difference, Dramatic Pause. Compare/contrast Cue Card Pause, wherein the timing of a pause creates a similar effect. Compare and contrast Last-Second Word Swap, where someone originally intended to say one thing and decides in mid-sentence to say something else instead.

Not to be confused with Bait-and-Switch Comparison. One of them is a trope where the meaning of people's sentences changes as they keep talking... and the other is Bait And Switch Comparison! (No, it really is. What, you were expecting a joke?)


Examples:

    open/close all folders 

    Advertising 
  • In a commercial for Kentucky Fried Chicken, the Colonel says that he's been asked about how he feels about burger restaurants selling fried chicken. He replies that he'd say that it's none of his business... just as selling fried chicken is none of theirs.

    Anime & Manga 
  • In the Gag Dub of the first season of Duel Masters, Kyoshiro Kokujo defeats Toru and masquerades as him to duel Shobu. When Toru is revealed to be lying defeated in the bushes, Shobu asks who Kokujo is, assuming that he's a bad guy due to his Evil Laugh and being Obviously Evil. Kokujo tells Shobu off for stereotyping people like that, but when asked if he actually isn't a bad guy, points out that of course he is.
  • Russia of Hetalia: Axis Powers makes a habit of this, especially during the sudden and often unpredictable switch into his "cruel" mode. For example, at one point he tells England that he considers America's cockiness to be a positive trait, and that he very much enjoys his free spirit and youthful energy...because people like that are more fun to "snap in half."
  • I Think Our Son Is Gay: When Hiroki's mother Tomoko asks his father Akiyoshi how he would react if Hiroki were gay, Akiyoshi starts to panic... because he realizes how his insensitive comments about gay people would have hurt his son. Tomoko goes from very concerned to very relieved.
  • Early on in Naruto, Kakashi gives his genin team of Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke- a test- get a bell from him by noon or go back to the academy. When the three fail as a result of not working together, Kakashi says that they won't have to worry about going back to the academy, because none of them are fit to be ninja.
  • One Piece:
    • Kaya, having realized that her butler Klahadore is actually Captain Kuro, who is planning on murdering her in order to take her inheritance, confronts him and tries to get him to leave, even holding him at gunpoint. Kuro then reminisces about all the time he and Kaya spent together... before mentioning how humiliating it was for him, and that he only put up with it in order to steal her fortune.
    • As the crew sails away from Little Garden, with an Eternal Pose that will show them the way to Alabasta, Nami falls ill with a life-threatening illness. Vivi is faced with a Sadistic Choice- go straight to Alabasta to end her homeland's civil war as quickly as possible or find a doctor to save her friend's life. Vivi apologizes to the crew for her selfishness, saying that she needs to get to Alabasta as quickly as possible... then says that they're going to find a doctor for Nami, since they need their navigator well in order to get to Alabasta quickly.
    • In their first meeting, Blackbeard expresses incredulity at Luffy's 30-million berry bounty: his incredulous dismissal of the number makes Luffy (and the audience) think he considers the number too high and its holder a weakling and a pushover. Only a little later, as he learns the true number of 100 million, it's revealed that he thought the initial number was lowballing. He could sense Luffy's potential from the start.
  • In Tamagotchi: Yume Kira Dream episode 6, the owner of an unfinished building notices the art Kiramotchi painted all over it (despite her promising her big sister Kiraritchi she wouldn't draw or paint on whatever surfaces she comes across) and looks angry about it, saying he thinks it's... wonderful and he loves it.
  • In Yuri!!! on Ice, Sara Crispino coldly tells her twin brother Michele that she doesn't need him at the rink while she competes during the Grand Prix and he shouldn't need her there either, since she knows that their co-dependent relationship is holding both of them back as figure skaters and as people. After Michele skates a beautiful free program without needing Sara nearby, she tearfully hugs him and says she's sorry for all the mean things she said earlier, seeming like she's slipping back into co-dependency...only for her to smile and say that she's glad she said them anyway, since they're better off apart. The dumbfounded look on Michele's face really sells it.
  • Zombie Land Saga
    • At the start of the third episode, Kotaro starts off seeming as though he's about to criticize Sakura for the impromptu rap battle she got into with Saki in the performance in the previous episode before actually saying that she did a great job.
    • In Episode 10, the group is camping out in the wilderness in the weeks leading up to the concert in Arpino. Sakura, who's worried about how the concert will go, insists that they practice, but is told that they'll need to make sure they account for all their survival needs first. With ten days to go, Saki says she's confident that the group has "about got the whole wilderness thing down," but they're forgetting something. Sakura assumes Saki agrees with her about the need for practice, until Saki says that they haven't had any meat in a while.
  • In JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable, Josuke and Okuyasu team up with a Stand user named Shigechi to use the latter's stand to make money by collecting stamps and turning them in for money. When Josuke returns from the Kame Yu department store, he, with a seemingly dejected expression, says that it didn't go as he expected... then gets excited when he adds, "Yeah, I didn't expect that we'd get 61,500 yen!"note 
  • Pecola: In "Hurricane Pecola", when Chewy shows concern over Pecola using one of Dr. Chu's canned tornadoes to give him some wind to fly his kite, Pecola responds with "You're right, Chewy. It's not a good idea... it's a great idea!"
  • In My Hero Academia, after the second round of the Sports Festivalnote  ends, and the top four teams of four advance to the final round(out of the 10 teams formed from the 40 who reached the second round), Ojiro and Shoda ask to withdraw, since they don't feel as though they deserve to advance due to having been brainwashed by Shinso during the Cavalry Battle. Midnight, the teacher in charge of the tournament, has this to say.
    Midnight: (stern) How naïve and green... (gleeful, swinging her whip) I... LIKE IT!
  • Professor Cedric Juniper in Pokémon the Series: Black & White has this as a Running Gag. For instance, when Ash asked to go with him to the ruins, he responded with "I never...", which led everyone into saying that he declined the offer, only to say: "...refuse bright young folks". This later caused problems avoiding the traps inside the ruins.
  • In Volume 14 of Laid-Back Camp, the members of the OEC begin to despair, worrying that they've failed to attract any new first-years despite their efforts, such as baking a pizza. Two girls come over and say that the pizza was so good they were inspired... to join the cooking club.
  • In Chapter 26 of I Don't Know Which One Is Love, Mei meets Chiharu, a friend Mei had a crush on until Chiharu announced she had a boyfriend, for the first time in a while. When Mei asks how things are going with Chiharu's boyfriend, Chiharu says, "...The truth is..." with her bangs hiding her eyes as if to ominously suggest that things are not going well, before cheerfully continuing, "It's going super well!"
  • The Summer You Were There
    • A comedic example happens in Chapter 19. Kaori, reading Shizuku's novel, blurts out "Oh, I'm so in love!", startling Shizuku, before adding "With your novel!" Since Shizuku had just heard Kaori's friend Seri remark that Shizuku and Kaori looked like a couple to Seri, she's seemingly both relieved and disappointed that Kaori was talking about the novel.
    • A serious example happens in Chapter 27, when Seri takes the opportunity to speak with Shizuku despite the awkward tension between them. She says that she's always been scared of Shizuku, who bullied her in elementary school, and as much as she wants to forget it all, she can't. It seems as though nothing has changed since she rejected Shizuku's apology in Chapter 14... but then Ruri says that she wants to get to know Shizuku, since Shizuku has changed and getting to know the new her might help Ruri overcome her trauma.
  • Delicious in Dungeon: When monster venom begins to turn Marcille into stone, Laios reassures her that there's a way to fix it and she should first curl up and tuck in her limbs... so she'll petrify in a sturdy pose while the others prepare the antidote. Instead, she petrifies while flailing in panic, making Laios fret that something could break off.

    Asian Animation 
  • Happy Heroes:
    • Smart S. makes one at Sweet S. in Season 8 episode 17 in regards to her thinking she has the ability to predict people's misfortunes.
      Sweet S.: I don't know how to explain this, but it's like I can forsee all the bad things that will happen! Do you know what it means, Romeonote ?
      Smart S.: I know! It means that... you bring trouble wherever you go.
    • The King makes one in Season 8 episode 20 when he has the Supermen try to hit him with staffs to find which ones are the real ones... right after having his pain transferred to Big M. after having his leg hairs shaved for the magic spell to do so.
      The King: I suspect the stylist did something to me! The next time I see him... I'll give him a raise!
  • Mechamato: When Amazeey subjects Mara, Amato, Deep and MechaBot into his first challenge, he says, "May the best contestant... lose!"
  • In Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf: Mighty Little Defenders episode 1, General Wolf says "You should go." while facing Wolffy, making Wolffy think he wants him to come along with him to break into Goat Village. Turns out he was referring to a frog on his head instead.

    Comic Books 
  • Animaniacs: Wakko's comment about Gigantasaurus:
    Akko: He looks just like G—
    Yakko: Whoa, you can't say that!
    Dot: That name is © and ™, you know.
    Wakko: Someone's trademarked Granny?
  • The Archie Comics displayed above.
  • Batman '66: Harlequin asks if Batman knows how much balloons like hers cost when he tries to puncture hers. She also asks, if he knows, to tell her because she stole that one.
  • After Batman finds out that Zatanna mindwiped him during the Identity Crisis story arc and finds it necessary to work with her again:
    Batman: I needed someone I could trust... But I had to settle for you.
  • Ben Grimm, The Thing, says this about Reed fighting an alien in issue #38 of Marvel Adventures: Fantastic Four:
    Ben: It was an unfair fight. A thirty-foot alien with all this power against Reed, his stretching ability and his brain. The alien was in deep trouble.
  • A short story of Mortadelo y Filemón sees the two agents grow tired of the secret entranceways, and demand they all be removed or they'll quit. The Superintendent's response:
    Super: I can't believe it! After so many years... trying to get rid of you two, turns out it was that easy. You may leave whenever you want.
  • The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis:
    • When Bender admits that he doesn't have a place to stay for the night, Homer tells him that any best friend of his will always have a bed and something to eat, giving the impression that he's gonna let the robot stay at his house. However, the next panel shows the two of them standing in front of Ned Flanders' house, with Homer demanding Ned to give a bed and something to eat to Bender.
    • After the Simpsons characters end up in New New York, Homer points an accusing finger at Farnsworth and asks "So it was you who tore reality a new space hole?" The Professor nervously admits he did so. However, instead of going on a rant over it, Homer is relieved:
      Homer: Whew! I thought it was me! Finally something that's not my fault!
  • Stunt Dawgs: Fungus upon having the Stunt Scabs assembled in a comic book story.
    Fungus: To accomplish this evil mission, I need the best men possible! Since they were all booked-up, I'm stuck with you.
  • Supreme Power: Emil Burbank narrates of how he frequently took advantage of his sister...'s kind offers to be of assistance to him. (No, no, that last pothole was correct.)
  • Y: The Last Man: Dr Mann suddenly reveals that she was a fencer in college and starts dueling with ninja Psycho for Hire Toyota.
    Toyota: (trading blows) Wow, I'm shocked! You're actually...not...that......good! (stabs Mann)
  • The Transformers: More than Meets the Eye: After Rodimus explains his plan to have some of the crew stay on Necroworld while the rest make contact with Cybertron, Whirl pipes up and asks to start a petition to leave Swerve behind.
    Rodimus: Don't be ridiculous. What a ridiculous thing to say. You don't need to start a petition.

    Comic Strips 
  • Beetle Bailey: Cookie hears a toast from the men, "Here's to the best cook in the US Army!" "Hear! Hear!" Cookie approaches teary-eyed. "May he someday be sent here!" "Amen!" "Yuck!"
  • Garfield:
    • His reply to Arlene telling him she loves him was telling her that it was a coincidence because... he also loves him.
    • This strip.
      Jon: We should form a book club. And then we could sit around talking about books... that we pretend we've read.
      Garfield: Count me in.
  • U.S. Acres:
    • During his first day at the barn, Orson comments that, "if this place had a few curtains and a fresh coat of paint... it would still be a dump".
    • Orson's reaction when Booker suggests they could take their corncobs to the store and get a refund.
      Orson: Ha! Ha! Booker, you are so naïve. See? It says "No deposit, no refund".
      Booker: Oh, yes...

    Fan Works 
  • Bart Simpson: Attorney at Law: Upon learning Moe is placing bets on the outcome of Bart's trial, Homer places two firm fists against his hips and says he'll "give that bookie the talking of a life-time". He then phones Moe to "Put me down fifty on the boy".
  • After Socrates seemingly reforms in Calvin & Hobbes: The Series, Calvin says this:
    "Well, all I can say to that is ... you already tried that one last week. Nice try."
  • In Cooking Lessons Harry and Snape meet with a packed Gryffindor common room shortly after revealing their relationship.
    Random Gryffindor: You better take care of him or you'll have all of us to deal with. That goes for you too Snape.
  • In Wargs and Peace, near the end, The company makes several comments that imply that they're just about to figure out who the warg is...but actually they're not.
    Ori: You know, I always thought warg's eyes were brown.
    Balin: They are.
    Ori: Well, this one's eyes are blue.
    Fili: Uncle's eyes were blue...
    Kili: Uncle! Fili...did we avenge him?
    Fili: Yes Kili, we did him proud, we avenged him. That thing- [gestures to his uncle, still in warg form] can hardly draw a good breath, it'll be gone soon.
    [even after Thorin turns back...]
    Dwalin: Oh, no.
    Gloin: You don't think...
    Dwalin: Gandalf's spell turned the warg into Thorin!
    [cue the facepalms]
  • In Learning to Breathe Underwater when Amethyst was trying to ease the bad blood between Pearl and Lapis, she delivered this gem:
    Amethyst: And it may look like she’s super-controlling, but once you spend enough time with P-dawg here, you find out she’s like that with everyone.
    Pearl: Thank you so much for the vote of confidence, Amethyst.
  • Universe Falls: In "To Con a Clod", Peridot downs an entire mug of hot coffee at once, and this is her response:
    Peridot: That was horrid! That viscous liquid was scalding hot! I have no idea how anyone, Gem or human, would willingly put such a foul substance into their body! Which is why I have to ask... do you have any more?!
  • Ill Words:
    '"Well well, Longbottom. It would seem you have finally succeeded. . ."
    Neville's eyes lit up in amazed pleasure, which faded as Snape continued with a sneer,
    ". . .In making the potion which is the complete opposite of the one you should have made!"
  • Lily tries to persuade the Marauders to ease up on ridiculing Severus Snape in The Rigel Black Chronicles, but there's no hope for James or Sirius, so she turns to Remus for his opinion.
    Remus: She has a point. There's no need to perpetuate this, is there? I'm sure by now he's washed his hair.
  • In O Mother, Where Art Thou?, the Diesel has this to say when Diesel 10 reveals that he helped Sailor John kill David's father:
    You helped that pirate take the life of that young man's father? That's so, so low to sink to, Diesel 10...I like you for that.
  • Springaling: In "Regrets", Springtrap appears to admit to the old Fredbear costume that he feels remorse over killing the children, only to comment in the last panel that he should have done something different to clean up the bloodstains. Behind him, the Puppet drops the present he was holding and prepares to whack Springtrap on the head with a mallet.
  • Naru-Hina Chronicles:
    • Hinata initially thought that Hiashi wouldn't approve of her dating Naruto because of Hyuga standards, even going so far as to lie to her father while her boyfriend was present by claiming he's just a friend. After she explains the whole situation to Hiashi, he replies that he indeed does not approve... of her lying to him while Naruto was present. He then tells her to go apologize to Naruto and that he expects them to be present at the Hyuga residence the next day so they can have a talk and lay down ground rules.
    • While Kakashi is on a mission with Team Gai, Rokuro steals his body in order to infiltrate Konoha. However, Kakashi had memorized Icha Icha Paradise and takes this opportunity to recite it to Rokuro. Eventually, the latter has enough and yells at Kakashi to shut up already, causing Team Gai to be confused at "Kakashi":
      Gai: Oh?! Why didn't I see it before. I know why you're so acting strange.
      Rokuro: Ummm... You do!? [thinking] Damn it. He knows I'm inhabiting Kaka...
      Gai: [smiling and pointing at "Kakashi"] Yes! We haven't had a challenge in a while. And our rivalry is so powerful, you're eager for more.
      Rokuro: [Sweat Dropping] Err... Umm... Sure Gai... That's it.
    • In one of the Mini-sodes, during an undercover mission at some hotel, Naruto and Hinata (the former having taken on the appearance of the latter) are found by the hotel manager. At first, it looks like the manager discovered they're spies. However:
      Manager: So... this is what you were doing. Going to the bathroom, huh? And here I find you walking around with someone looking just like you... I see what's going on. [having a joyful face] You have a twin sister with a cat-suit fetish and we're going to have some private fun!
      Naruto and Hinata: [thinking in unison] That was unexpected.

    Film — Animated 
  • Chicken Run has Bunty's reaction to one of Ginger's rousing speeches:
    Bunty: In all my years, I've never heard such a fantastic... load of TRIPE!
  • Frozen: When Anna, Kristoff, and Sven the reindeer meet Olaf, they introduce themselves.
    Anna: I'm Anna.
    Olaf: And who's the funky-looking donkey over there?
    Anna: That's Sven.
    Olaf: Uh-huh, and who's the reindeer?
    (beat)
    Anna: ...Sven...
    Olaf: Oh, they're- Oh, okay. Makes things easier for me.
  • The Great Mouse Detective. When Basil confronts the villainous Professor Ratigan, it looks like he's invoking the Worthy Opponent trope, but it's actually the lead-in to an insult:
    "Ratigan, no one can have a higher opinion of you than I have... and I think you're a slimy, contemptible sewer rat!"
  • Incredibles 2: Violet consoles her dad when he apologizes for the mess he got her in with Tony.
    Violet: You're not good. [Beat] You're super.
  • Kung Fu Panda:
    • Master Shifu teaching Po the mysteries of Kung Fu.
      "When you focus on Kung Fu... when you concentrate... you stink."
    • Crane frees the grossly overweight Po after he gets stuck trying to do the split.
      Po: Thanks.
      Crane: Don't mention it.
      Po: No really, I appreciate—
      Crane: Ever.
    • "The warrior said nothing, for his mouth was full."
    • Introducing Master Shifu. "Well done students...if you were trying to disappoint me!"
    • Mr. Ping's unreveal just prior to the film's climax.
      Po: Sometimes I can't believe I'm actually your son!
      Ping: Po... I think it's time I told you something I should have told you a long time ago... The secret to my secret ingredient soup!
  • Kung Fu Panda 2:
    • A flashback scene shows how Mr. Ping found baby Po abandoned in a (now empty) box of radishes. So Mr Ping makes a decision that will change his life forever...to make his soup without radishes. And raise Po as his son.
    • Lord Shen demands a prophecy from his Soothsayer. She rolls her eyes upward and foresees...
      "If you continue on your current path, you will find yourself...at the bottom of the stairs."
  • In Maya the Bee II: The Honey Games, Violet tries to get Willy to trick Maya by distracting her and their teammates from finding out they used a secret tunnel to cheat by having him claim that he hurt his wing. When Maya arrives, he tells her that he's hurt... hurt that Violet would try to get him to trick his best friend.
  • Moana: After getting caught sneaking into Tamatoa's lair, Moana tries to distract the giant crab monster by stroking his ego.
    Tamatoa: (menacing) Are you just trying to get me to talk about myself? Because if you are... (suddenly cheerful) I will gladly do so!
    Moana: Huh?
    Tamatoa: In song form!
  • Monsters, Inc.: Mike Wazowski:
    • The first time is in the first act while watching a commercial for the title company, but his appearance is obscured by their logo.
      I don't believe it... I was on TV!!
    • The second time is during the film's resolution, when a magazine's bar code obscures him on the cover.
      I don't believe it... I'm on the cover of a magazine! Oh...!
    • This gag even shows up in the prequel Monsters University, when Mike finds out he's barely in the photo for his student ID.
      Mike: I can't believe it... I'm officially a college student!
  • In the My Friends Tigger & Pooh film Pooh's Super Sleuth Christmas Movie, Rabbit spends much of the movie waxing rhapsodic about all the advanced organization and planning that Santa must need in order to get all the presents delivered, so his reaction to learning that it's mostly down just to magic comes as a bit of a surprise...
    Rabbit: You... you mean there's no inventory list? No tracking system? No routing strategy? It's all just magic? ... ... That's wonderful!
  • My Little Pony: A New Generation: When two pegasus guards, Zoom and Thunder, catch Sunny and Izzy outside Zephyr Heights, Thunder freaks out at the sight of an earth pony. Zoom ensures Thunder that earth ponies are harmless, which Sunny is happy to hear because she believes the pegasi will accept her, until Zoom continues to say that they have very tiny brains.
  • Peter Pan does this to the Lost Boys when they reveal they tried to shoot down Wendy.
    Peter Pan: Well, I'm very proud of you... you blockheads!
  • Positive example at the beginning of Smallfoot:
    Stonekeeper: Migo, you will never be the gong-ringer.
    Migo: Wait, what?
    Stonekeeper: ...If you don't practice.
  • Tangled: Near the start, Flynn notices himself on a "Wanted!" Poster. His reaction is to say:
    Oh, no, this is bad... they just can't get my nose right!
  • Turning Red: When Ming is describing to Mei about the origins of the Red Panda abilities, after mentioning that the current peaceful period made this unnecessary, it sounds like she’s going to call the blessing as a curse, but instead calls it an inconvenience.
  • Shrek:
    • In the first film, after the Plot-Mandated Friendship Failure, Donkey returns to Shrek's swamp to say he forgives him for acting like such a jerk to him earlier. Shrek, who thinks Donkey and Fiona have dismissed him as a "hideous, ugly beast", isn't having it.
    Shrek: If I treated you so bad, how come you came back?
    Donkey: Because that's what friends do! They forgive each other!
    Shrek: [calmer] Oh... yeah. You're right, Donkey. I forgive you. ...For stabbing me in the back!
    • In the climax of Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, Perrito tries to make a cutesy face on "Big" Jack Horner in an attempt to convince him not to make his wish.
    Jack: It's so cute... (glares) how you think that would work on me!

    Film — Live-Action 
  • Up the Creek: As a Running Gag, every time the hero made love to his new girlfriend, he asked her "Was it as good for for you as it was for me?" and she replied "No..." . Then something happens to distract them. This happened three or four times, until at the end of the movie, when he asked the question she responded "No, it was better."
  • Love Actually: Old rock act Billy Mack puts on a Public Service Announcement:
    Billy: Hiya, kids, here's an important message from your Uncle Bill: Don't buy drugs. (Beat) Become a pop star, and they give you them for free!
    • In a cut scene, Karen sits through a parent-teacher conference when her son's teachers complain about his theme paper, "My Special Christmas Wish", in which he describes a world where people's farts are visible. Karen then takes her son into the hall:
      Bernie: I'm sorry, Mum.
      Karen: I'm sorry too, Bernie. Sorry and ashamed and embarrassed... that I have put you in a school with such total and utter pricks that they don't get a good gag when they see one! I mean, this is high-class comedy. This is first-rate stuff!
  • Cats & Dogs: After the dog cleaning agents get the mess cleaned up, Mrs. Brody comes in.
    Mrs. Brody: Oh my god... who left the window open?
  • Dumb and Dumber: After Lloyd sells Harry's sheepdog van for a nearly-shot moped, Harry gives us this. "You know, Lloyd, just when I think you couldn't possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this... and totally redeem yourself!"
    • Another occurs when Harry and Lloyd are stranded when a tour bus rolls up and they're offered the chance to work for a women's Hawaiian Tropic bikini team, oiling them up between matches. Harry sends them off to a nearby town to find someone interested and Lloyd calls him out and runs after the bus. Once the bus stops, Lloyd tells them the town is in the other direction.
  • The Princess Bride. Count Rugen: "You've been chasing me all these years only to fail now? I think that's the worst thing I've ever heard... how marvelous!"
  • Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (in a Shout-Out to The Importance of Being Earnest):
    Willy Wonka: The suspense is terrible! ...I hope it will last.
  • From Air Bud:
    Judge: Mr. Cheney, in my forty years on the bench I've heard a lot of lame-brain, cockamamie proposals... but this one, I like.
  • The Dark Knight. For those who know their Nietzsche, our introduction to the lead villain.
    Joker: I believe whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you... (Dramatic Unmask) stranger.
  • The Dark Knight Rises. Bane couples this with Implied Death Threat.
    CIA Agent: If I pull that [mask] off, will you die?
    Bane: It would be extremely painful...note 
    CIA Agent: You're a big guy.
    Bane: ...for you.
    • Later two of his mooks capture Commissioner Gordon snooping around and drag him to their headquarters. Bane asks, "What are you doing here?" Turns out he's not talking to Gordon, but the mooks who were stupid enough to bring Gordon there. "You panicked and now it has cost the lives of three men." Bane isn't referring to the mooks who've been killed already, but the soon-to-be-dead two mooks and Gordon himself.
  • Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls: After Ace struggles in getting the sacred bat back in the cage, he steps back, raises his arms, and exclaims, "YYYYYYYY—YUCK!" The bait was it looked like he was about to celebrate "YYYYES!", then switched with his obvious distaste in bats coming through.
  • Nick in Living in Oblivion, during his imagined award acceptance speech.
    Nick: "To all these people and many more, I would love to say thank you... but I can't, because what I really feel like saying is... go fu..."
  • In Licence to Kill, James Bond kills Killifer by throwing his Briefcase Full of Money at him so he falls into a Shark Pool. Unusually it's Sharkey who gives the Bond One-Liner.
    "Gosh, what a terrible waste. (Bond stares at him) Of money!"
  • In Scoop, Woody Allen's character Sid has an interesting take on optimism:
    Sondra: You are a cynical crapehanger who always see the glass half-empty!
    Sid: No, you're wrong. I see the glass half full ... but of poison.
  • Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
    Butch: You know, every time I see Hole-in-the-Wall again, it's like seeing it fresh for the first time. And every time that happens, I keep asking myself the same question; how could I be so damn stupid to keep coming back here?
  • A trailer for Iron Sky shows a Million Mook March of Space Nazis while talking of the "sick and depraved minds" who have been building their armies...to make this movie.
  • The trailer for The Naked Gun announced: "If you only see one movie this year... you've got to get out more often."
  • A Bridge Too Far. General Horrocks (played by Edward Fox) begins his Rousing Speech with, "Gentlemen, this is a story you will tell your grandchildren. And mightily bored they'll all be."
  • Wild Geese II. In another Edward Fox role, he denies their leader was planning to kill an IRA terrorist.
    "Oh no no no... that was my job."
  • Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny. KG, during the part of the movie where he's trying to undermine JB's self-esteem so he'll want to keep working with him, calls JB's attempt at a power-slide "amazing...ly bad."
  • The Martian. A NASA executive wonders what could be going through Mark Watney's head when the man is stranded all alone on a distant planet with little hope of survival. It then cuts to Mark in his habitat on Mars, listening to "Turn the Beat Around".
    Mark: I'm definitely gonna die up here... if I have to listen to any more god-awful disco music.
  • The ending of Armed & Dangerous has Dooley's former superior with the Police confront him after he and Kane successfully bring down the villains despite working as rent-a-cops, and says this:
    "Dooley, you're a disgrace to this or any other uniform, you know that? [Dooley hangs his head] ...So I guess we'll just have to put you in plainclothes when we bring you back on."
  • I Shot Jesse James: Early in the film, Jesse James is taking a bath with his friend Robert Ford standing nearby. Ford stares at Jesse's naked back, holding a gun and considering turning on Jesse. Jesse then says:
    Jesse: What are you waiting for, Bob? There’s my back.
    Robert: [gains a look of worry]
    Jesse: [hands Robert a brush] Go on, scrub my back.
  • Set It Up has this exchange:
    Harper: I worked so hard at being this great assistant and making sure she was happy that...I don't know, feels like I might have lost any writing skill I ever had.
    Charlie: Well, that is definitely not true. [Beat] You're a terrible assistant.
  • Mad Money: The police interrogator tells Nina that she's too late to strike a deal, because Jackie already did. He lets that sink in for a moment, only to tell her that Jackie bargained for immunity for Nina.
  • At the end of Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Dumbledore is telling Harry and Ron that he could expel them for the sheer number of rules violations they committed in saving Ginny's life and defeating the person who had been petrifying students all year long.
    Therefore it is only fitting that you both receive —Beat — special awards for services to the school.
  • Richard III. Richard's "Now is the winter of our discontent" monologue starts off as a public speech praising the victorious King, before a Mood Whiplash Conversation Cut to Richard sneering at the King in the privacy of a urinal.
  • Back to the Future: Marty, finding himself stuck in 1955, goes to meet the 1955 version of Doc to get his help to fix the time machine so he can return to 1985. Upon arriving at his house, Marty ends up becoming the subject to Doc's test with a mind-reading device, leading to this exchange:
    Marty: Doc, I'm from the future. I came here in a time machine that you invented, and I need your help getting back to the year 1985.
    Doc: My God... Do you know what this means? [Beat] It means that this damn thing doesn't work at all!
  • In Spider-Man, when the Bugle prints a story claiming Spider-Man attacked the city:
    Peter: Spider-Man wasn't trying to attack the city, he was trying to save it. That's slander.
    Jameson: It is not! I resent that! [Beat] Slander is spoken. In print, it's libel.
  • In Are You Being Served?, after Mrs. Slocombe sees the Lifebelle Inflatable Swimsuit's inflating breasts:
    Mrs. Slocombe: I have never seen such anything like it in my entire life. (Beat) I wonder if they give staff discount...

    Literature 
  • A Song of Ice and Fire. Lord Manderly is accused of arranging the death of Little Walder. He responds, "I confess... (bites on a sausage) ...that I do not know the boy."
  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland: Alice is asked how she likes playing croquet with the hot-tempered Queen of Hearts. She replies that she doesn't like it at all, because "She is so extremely" — and then seeing the Queen within earshot — "likely to win, that it hardly seems worth finishing the game."
  • The Amity Incident has Toxic Island - don't worry! it's not an island where every kind of animal and most of the plants are deadly... It's a continent.
  • The Bad Kitty book series includes a line of picture books that begin with the phrase Bad Kitty Does NOT Like... The first lines of Bad Kitty Does NOT Like Thanksgiving read "Kitty does not like Thanksgiving. Kitty LOVES Thanksgiving. Kitty loves Thanksgiving for one reason- TURKEY!"
  • Discworld:
    • At one point in Reaper Man, the wizards are on their way to the Patrician's palace and see all sorts of unusual things happening thanks to excess "life force". This includes a man chasing an animated suit, complaining that he paid a whole seven dollars for it, followed by a second pair of disembodied pants. Ridcully remarks on how unusual it is, while the Dean tries to put on airs of having Seen It All... until Ridcully explains that he's talking about a tailor selling a suit with two pairs of trousers for only seven dollars.
    • Near the end of Going Postal, Vetinari sees an opportunity to bring the board of the Grand Trunk to task for being complicit in fraud and embezzlement:
      "Commander Vimes, I think it would be iniquitous to detain these men here any longer," he said. As the faces in front of him relaxed into smiles full of Hope, that greatest of all gifts, he added: "To the cells with them, Commander."
    • In Monstrous Regiment, Polly wonders if the Orphanage of Fear Lofty and Tonker grew up in is that bad when Tonker says they plan to go back there in the summer, before she clarifies that this is because it will burn better in warm weather.
  • Smoke: Jack Fullerton IV declares he won't be part of any human experimentation for a cancer drug, then orders his lawyer to set up a dummy corporation to handle it.
  • In Worm, during a temporary alliance between superheroes and supervillains:
    Tattletale: Your names and powers?
    Tecton: Tecton. This is Wanton and Grace. Our ranged attacker here is Raymancer.
    Regent: Isn't Wonton a kind of noodle?
    Imp: And Raymancer? They're really running out of stuff to call superheroes.
    Grue: Play nice.
    Tattletale: Yeah. A wonton is a kind of dumpling, not a noodle. Get it right.
  • In the picture book Try a Bite, Trilobite, after Bug finally convinces Trilobite to try his snack after Trilobite had previously claimed to only eat noodles, he asks if he liked it. Trilobite tells hinm it was not as good as noodles, then when he bouts, declares that it was BETTER than noodles.
  • Zeroeth Law, Shakespeare's Sonnet 145:
    Those lips that Love's own hand did make,
    Breathed forth the sound that said "I hate,"
    To me that languished for her sake:
    But when she saw my woeful state,
    Straight in her heart did mercy come,
    Chiding that tongue that ever sweet
    Was used in giving gentle doom;
    And taught it thus anew to greet;
    "I hate" she altered with an end,
    That followed it as gentle day,
    Doth follow night, who like a fiend
    From heaven to hell is flown away.
    "I hate," from hate away she threw,
    And saved my life, saying "not you."

    Live-Action TV 
  • This is common from Simon Cowell on shows he judges on, such as America's Got Talent. A typical example:
    Simon: It wasn't great. [audience boos] It was incredible.
  • Angel:
    • In "Carpe Noctem", Angel is giving an apparent Patrick Stewart Speech to the villain, saying he might have all the power, but the one thing he'll never have is friends. "Four of them. Standing behind you holding big, heavy things." The villain whirls round, only to get clubbed unconscious by the rest of Team Angel.
    • The gang walk into Angel's office, only to find he's been turned into a puppet by a curse. Fred exclaims, "Oh my god, Angel, you're...you're...cute!"
    • In Season 3, Wesley believes a prophecy that claims that Angel will kill his newborn son Connor and conspires with Angel's old enemy Holtz to spirit the baby away for his safety. The end result: Holtz double-crosses Wesley, and he ends up in the hospital with a Slashed Throat while Holtz escapes with Connor into the hell dimension Quor'toth, and Angel tries to kill Wesley in the hospital in a rage. Fred is the only one who visits Wesley in the hospital to offer sympathy, only to give him a What the Hell, Hero? speech, stating that while she understands what Wesley was trying to do and believes Angel was in the wrong for trying to kill him, she nonetheless agrees with Angel that what happened to Connor is his fault, since they're supposed to be friends, and yet he decided to go to Holtz behind their backs rather than simply trusting them; she concludes by dropping the bombshell that the prophecy was a fake and Wesley's actions were all for nothing.
    • After years of absence, Lorne returns home and has a touching reunion with his mom.
      Mother: I've often prayed that I might look upon your face. (spits in Lorne's face) You have shamed our clan and betrayed our kind!
    • Played for Drama when Cordelia has a vision of a domestic homicide in the middle of giving Wesley advice on his love life.
      Cordelia: Wesley, if you like her, tell her. Just go right up to her and HACK HER INTO LITTLE PIECES!
      [Collapses from a vision of a man hacking his wife to death]
  • Arrested Development:
    • In "My Mother The Car", the family organizes a birthday party for Lucille. They discuss if they should invite George-Michael and Maeby. Michael replies "This is a Bluth family gathering. This is no place for children."
    • In "Shock And Awww", Michael and Lindsey mistake George-Michael's crush on his teacher as a desire for her to start dating Michael. Lindsey argues that George-Michael needs a mother figure in his life. Michael rebuffs her by saying "He's got you. He's got our mother. You'd think that would turn him off the whole concept."
    • A hospital doctor the family keeps running into is a genius at delivering this sort of line, whether it's bad news that turns out to be good, or good news that turns out to be bad.
      Lucille: But, you said he was all right.
      Dr Wordsmith: Yes, he's lost his left hand so he's going to be 'all right'.
  • Many humorous moments in Babylon 5 are filled with this. In "Soul Mates" for example, Londo comes between two of his arguing wives while screaming "Ladies, ladies, please!!" as if to stop them from fighting only to then say "Continue!" The entire episode is chock full of these moments.
  • In The Basil Brush Show, just after Mr. Steven gives away a large sum of money that wasn't his (thus fulfilling the moral lesson for the episode) that could have allowed him to go to the Maldeeves, Basil comes out with this little gem...
    Basil: You know, sometimes my admiration for Mr Steven (beat) goes right through the bleeding floor!
  • The Big Bang Theory:
    • In "The Benefactor Factor", when Sheldon decides not to go to a fundraiser to get donations for the university, Amy explains to him the consequences of not going, including said donations going to the geology department or liberal arts.
      Sheldon: Are you trying to scare me? 'Cause you’re succeeding.
    • The series is actually pretty fond of these:
      Sheldon: Did you just say my girlfriend is unattractive?
      Howard: Yes.
      Sheldon: Ah, because it wasn't clear.
    • Or...
      Amy: Sheldon, you're a coward!
      Sheldon: Oh, yeah? Well... that seems to be the case.
  • Blake's 7. In "The Harvest of Kairos", Supreme Commander of the Terran Federation Servalan gets a Forceful Kiss from one of her minions. Servalan decides she appreciates his manly audacity and makes him The Dragon.
    Servalan: But first, there is the question of that degrading and primitive act to which I was subjected in the control room. [Beat] I should like you to do it again.
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer:
    • In "The Wish", The Master is giving a New Era Speech to his vampire underlings.
      "Behold the technical wonder which is about to alter the very fabric of our society. Some have argued that such an advancement goes against our nature. They claim that death is our art. I say to them... well, I don't say anything to them because I kill them."
    • In "Doppelgangland", Vampire Willow assures a victim she's about to bite on that, "You don't have to be afraid...just to please me."
    • In "Doomed", when Spike tries and fails to stake himself due to Xander and Willow's timely interruption, Xander angrily takes the stake away from him, saying that they've shared a lot, and that Spike should have trusted him... to do it for him.
    • In "Flooded", when Buffy realises she is broke, Anya suggests she charge for saving people.
      Buffy: That seems like an idea...you would have.
    • Buffy does this in "Crush", when Spike makes his Anguished Declaration of Love and begs her to give him even the slightest hint that there may be a chance of them being together. Buffy lowers her voice and beckons him closer.
      Buffy: Spike... [Spike leans in hopefully] the only chance you had with me was when I was unconscious.
    • Xander in "Intervention".
      "Spike, Buffy has lots of friends, and we love her very much, and we’ll do whatever it takes to protect her. And if that happens to involve killing you; well...that's a bonus."
    • Season 9:
      Willow: "If you think that sweet talk will make me feel better, you're completely and unabashedly right."
  • Happens constantly on Burke's Law (especially in the 1994 revival). In the final act, Burke will get all the suspects together and go to each one, saying something that sounds like they're about to be arrested for the murder...then reveal it's just something minor or even better.
    Burke: You're about to get just what you deserve...the money the victim owed you just came in.
    Burke: You better call a lawyer...to handle those traffic violations you've racked up.
    • Nicely played with in "Who Killed the Hollywood Headshrinker?" as Burke does the usual bit...then arrests all of them as Everybody Did It.
  • Columbo: In "Greenhouse Jungle," while Gloria is alone with Jarvis, she tells him about Columbo's theory and says she thinks she knows who the killer is. Jarvis rhetorically asks who, while reaching for a weapon to kill Gloria, and Gloria says, "His wife." This causes Jarvis to freeze, as he realizes that this isn't a blackmail attempt, and Gloria doesn't suspect him.
  • Community:
    Abed: I hate twins. The way they always know what the other's
    Troy: Thinking.
    Abed: And always finish each other's
    Troy: Pie.
    Abed: Exactly.
  • In Criminologist Himura and Mystery Writer Arisugawa, Komachi says she can't understand the mindset of a criminal, to which Himura replies that he can. She then accuses him of sympathising with the murderer, to which Himura elaborates that it's because he understands the desire to kill that makes him even more disgusted with people who actually go through with it.
  • The Crown (2016). In-Universe in "Act of God" when Prime Minister Churchill is called before Queen Elizabeth to be admonished for his mishandling of the Great Smog of 1952. However the night before Churchill started handling the crisis properly, and the smog starts to dissipate, so the Queen changes tack mid-sentence to say she wants to consult him about the appointment of some foreign prime ministers. Discussing the event afterwards, Churchill can't help admiring how smoothly she did it.
  • Doctor Who. In "Death in Heaven" the Doctor is apparently giving his "I am the Doctor" speech, but concludes "I..am... an idiot!", realising despite his Awesome Ego that he's just a flawed man doing his best.
  • From Dragons' Den, known as Shark Tank in the U.S., in which owners of companies seek investments in their businesses:
    Peter Jones: I don't think it's a bad idea. I think it's a ridiculously stupid, and crazy idea.
    Deborah Meaden: I think you're great, I think it's great, and I think the valuation is crazy.
    Daymond John: If I invested in this, I'd sleep like a baby. I'd wake up every two hours, crying, and asking my Mommy, "where's my money?"
    Jenny Campbell: I like it. I like it 'cause it's a brilliant business lesson in how not to run and set up a business. Sorry. Where did you lose your marbles in this one?
  • Done on The Drew Carey Show when Larry Almada takes over as manager of Winfred-Louder.
    Mimi: That's right, when you say "jump" I say "how high... would I have to be to take orders from you?"
  • In one episode of Face/Off, Glenn (the judge known for snarky comments) says "I don't like this. I love it." The best part is he said the "I don't like this" with a completely straight face, giving the impression he was about to tear into the makeup. A Next On clip, in a fine example of Manipulative Editing, only showed the "I don't like this" and a cut to a different contestant's unhappy reaction.
  • Farscape. Used for Ship Tease between Crichton and Chiana thanks to her distinctive form of speaking. "I would love you...to come with me, but..."
  • From the "Oscars 2013" episode of E!'s Fashion Police.
    Joan Rivers: "Renée Zellweger won't be making her next movie until the fall. There's no joke. I just wanted to give you the good news."
  • In "Blue Sincerely Reunion" from The Flight Attendant, when Esteban Diaz moves to hit Max in the face to try to get information out of him, Gabrielle Diaz tells him "Baby, stop," making it seem like she thinks he's going too far. Then...
    Gabrielle: You're gonna hurt your hand. We have tools for that.
  • In one of the last episodes of Friends, Joey asks how he managed to lose 50 coin tosses against Rachel in a row. "It was heads she wins, tails I lose!" The others stare at him as he slowly figures out... that he forgot to pick up his dry-cleaning.
  • Game of Thrones.
    • Jaime Lannister is hauled up before Lord Roose Bolton who decides to mess with his head after Jaime asks for news of his family.
      "You haven't heard...? Stannis Baratheon laid siege to King's Landing. Sailed into Blackwater Bay. Stormed the gates with thousands of men. And your sister... How can I put this... your sister... [agonizingly long pause] ...is alive and well. Your father's forces prevailed." [Jaime faints]
    • Played for Drama when King Joffrey pretends he's going to show mercy to Lord Eddard Stark, by saying that his mother and Sansa have asked him to let Eddard join the Night's Watch in lieu of being executed. He sounds as though he agrees with them, but then...
      Joffrey: But they have the soft hearts of women. So long as I am your king, treason shall never go unpunished. Sir Ilyn, bring me his head!
    • Discussed when Benjen Stark says that nothing in a sentence matters before the word "but".
    • Sansa in Season 7 finale:
      Sansa [to Arya]:You stand accused of murder and treason. How do you answer, Lord Baelish?
  • Happens a lot in Happy Endings.
    Brad: *seems offended* "Hold up. Are you calling me a Trophy Wife ... cause that's awesome".
    • From the same episode:
      Max: "That is the worst sangria-mouth I've ever seen ... on a non-Spaniard."
    • Later:
      Max: "This may be the single dumbest thing that I have ever been associated with ... and I love it and I'm in."
    • Double Subverted
      The Car Czar:No one talks to the Car Czar like that, ever ... but I like it [starts laughing] ... wait, no I don't. Why would I like that? No boss would like that ... but you are my top salesperson, so what am I gonna do?"
    • Also, from "The Storm Before the Calm":
      Dave: Max, are you seriously wearing glasses with no lenses?
      Max: [Beat] Maybe.
      Dave: Dude, I've seen you do some really dumb things before, but this... is not one of them. Those are cool.
  • Hell's Kitchen: You can assume, with rather high certainty, that whoever Ramsay initially mentions during his "announce who's eliminated" speech, will end up being safe.
  • Homicide: Life on the Street: When Pembleton asks Sister Magdalena about the Victim of the Week's personal life, Sister Magdalena figures out he wants to know if she was promiscuous, but then add she thinks the victim could have had more of a sex life.
  • How I Met Your Mother:
    • Ted is on a date with a girl who keeps drinking wine midsentence. She keeps saying things that can be perceived as racist remarks, confessions of fratricide, etc., then finishes the sentence after the wine sip so that it takes on a completely different meaning. As Ted is imagining literal baggage appear around the room every time she says something and it disappears when she finishes her sentence, the scene culminates with her saying something particularly bad and a suitcase appears labeled "LET HER FINISH HER DRINK, TED." By the time she says "That reminds me, I killed my brother (sip) with this joke I told him", it's hard to believe she's not doing it on purpose.
    • In another episode, Marshall and Lily want to get married quickly, so they go to the courthouse and ask a clerk there if they can see a judge. She answers something like "Sure, you can see a judge... is what I would say if one was available." It quickly becomes an Overly Long Gag as every question they ask receives a similar response.
    • Barney is very guilty of this. In one episode, he displaces his relationship anxiety by compulsively shopping at SkyMall. However, it quickly gets out of control, with him buying things he doesn't remotely need. As he tells Marshall, "I have three self-cleaning litterboxes and I don't even have a kid!"
    • In a season nine episode, Barney gets extremely drunk and starts compulsively telling various secrets about himself. Ted and Robin realize this is their opportunity to learn everything they've ever wanted to know about Barney and start asking him questions. We then cut to a montage of Barney making various confessions. At one point, he apparently admits to once having had sex with another man, but then it turns out he merely split a cab with the guy.
  • Insane Clown Posse Theater: While watching Michael Jackson's "Black or White" video.
    VIOLENT J: "Would I let my kids hang out with Michael Jackson? No. [Beat] Because I'D want to hang out with Michael Jackson!"
  • Often used by Charlie in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia when someone says something stupid to him and it seems like he's about to criticize them, but instead he goes right along with it.
    • When Mac and Dennis inform him that they're going to train him to be a pit fighter, he says, "What?! ...That is brilliant!"
    • When Mac and Dennis argue about whether to hit him with a trashcan or if he's ready for a chair, Charlie breaks them up. "Guys, guys, guys... I can handle a chair."
    • When Mac starts calling everyone around him a "jabronie," Charlie stops him. "You keep using that word... and it's awesome!"
    • When Frank and Dennis buy a police car and police uniforms, Charlie is disappointed that they didn't buy him a uniform of his own. Dennis suggests that he dress up in different disguises like an undercover cop, and Charlie says "DAMMIT... That is such an awesome idea!"
    • Mac even does it when Frank shows him the Rum Ham he snuck on the beach. "Eating your drinks? God dammit, Frank... That is genius!"
  • On the second season of The Joe Schmo Show, a parody of reality-TV shows in which everyone except the chosen schmoes is an actor, there's a challenge in which the cast members have to do embarrassing things at a dinner or have dark secrets revealed. The dark secret of "Cammy" invented for the series is that she starred a soft-core food-fetish porn video called Porked and Beans. She does not complete her task and therefore her secret gets revealed by having a portion of the video played for the show's cast. Afterwards, host Derek Newcastle (Ralph Garman) comments "I'm sorry we had to see that... (Beat) on such a small monitor."
  • One sketch on Key & Peele invokes this repeatedly, where a master chef manages to keep switching back and forth as to whether or not he likes a quiche being presented to him, multiple times, in a single sentence. Observe.
  • In Kim's Convenience, Mrs. Kim rushes to her son Jung to talk about an "emergency" regarding her daughter Janet's (lack of) love life. The misleading way she delivers this news nearly gives Jung the wrong idea.
    Mrs. Kim: She is going to die—!
    Jung: [looks very worried]
    Mrs. Kim: ... Alone!
    Jung: [sighs] Umma, Janet being single is not a crisis.
  • One Christmas-themed episode of Married... with Children begins with Al coming home griping about Christmas at the mall where he works.
    Al: All you hear is [whining] "Buy me this! Get me this! I have to have this!"...and then there's the children.
  • MasterChef:
    • "I have one big complaint about your dish... I can't stop eating it!" shows up a few times.
    • Master Chef does it all the time especially with regard to who's getting on the show during auditions, or who's being eliminated. One notable example was bringing a contestant's family in...so he could say goodbye because he was going to the show.
  • Mimpi Metropolitan:
    • When Prima hears that Bambang paid fifty thousands rupiah for a ride on motorcycle taxi, Prima tells Bambang that he should have asked Prima to drive him... so Prima can get the fifty thousands rupiah.
    • In the beginning of episode 47, Melani answers Juna's asking her to be his girlfriend with an "Of course...". Romantic music plays before stopping because Melani continues with "...not."
    • In episode 50, Melani tells Alan she comes to the dorm looking for Bambang. Cue Bambang's happy face and romantic music. Then Melani continues with "and [Alan] too."
    • In episode 53, Mami Bibir playfully uses this when talking to Melani (who is worried about Mami Bibir's back) before Melani goes to work.
      Melani: Is it okay if I leave you alone?
      Mami Bibir: Don't... hestitate.
    • When Alexi is angry that Alan calls their work meetings useless in episode 62, Alan assures him that their meeting are useful. As useful as it's lack of result.
  • In the Murdoch Mysteries episode "Bend it Like Brakenreid", Inspector Brakenreid is coaching his son John for the Olympic soccer team. John favours the new passing game, while his father believes in the tradition of one man kicking the ball up the pitch, and makes John feel that anything else isn't being a Brakenreid. Encouraged by Dr Odgen, John stands up to his father and says there can be more than one kind of Brakenreid. The inspector replies "No, you're wrong. There's only one kind of Brakenreid. The kind that speaks his mind. Now, get out there and pass your way to the Olympic bloody Games."
  • A Running Gag in the later seasons of Mystery Science Theater 3000 was to boast of a given film's or actor's pedigree, only to hang on the seemingly last syllable and then finish the sentence with something mundane or unflattering:
    "He studied under Lee Strasberg...'s car."
    "An Actor Prepares...to suck."
    "He trained with Bruce Lee...bowitz."
    "Cinematography by Haskell Wexler...'s cat."
    "He's read Uta Hagen's 'Respect for Acting'... like an imbecile."
    "Boy, I hope they end up together... at the bottom of a well, torn apart by animals!"
    "That scene really makes me think... about how much better a root canal would be than this movie!"
  • In Once Upon a Time, in "The Miller's Daughter", young Cora tells Rumple she "thought [she] wanted this", referring to her newfound position as a prince's bride-to-be, as if she were preparing to say power isn't all that great...but continues to add that she realised she found herself fifth in line to the throne, which greatly disappoints her.
  • Parks and Recreation
    Leslie: Can I speak to you about a personal matter?
    Ron: Normally no. But given there's only 20 minutes until the end of human existence... also no.
    • Also:
      Leslie: Look, I don't like to throw around the word "butthead" often. If you call everyone a butthead, it kind of loses its impact. But I can say, without hesitation... that Tom is being a real dick.
  • In Pawn Stars, The Old Man is given a fully-restored 1957 Chevy 150 during his 70th birthday party.
    The Old Man: Rick...Danny...I don't like it...
    [everyone at the party becomes tense until the Old Man says...]
    The Old Man: I love it!
  • Person of Interest:
    • The show does this a few times, but two stand out. The first is when Root has kidnapped Finch and has just drugged a nearby woman's drink with painkillers:
      Root: She'll be okay. In a few months.
    • The second is when Root and Finch have imprisoned a furious Shaw for her own safety, and Finch tells her that if she leaves, she'll risk getting them all found by the Big Bad:
      Shaw: Guilt, Harold? Really? Y'know, normally that wouldn't work on me, but I wouldn't want anything to happen... to the dog.
  • In the French-Canadian series Radio Enfer, during the first episode of Season 2, Carl tells Maria about the stuff Léo and Camille did during summer vacation as a couple. He says that Camille managed to "déniaiser"note  Léo. Maria thinks Camille made Léo lose his virginity, only for Carl to clarify that Camille made Léo go shopping, much to Maria's disappointment.
  • Red Dwarf. In "Better Than Life", Rimmer is in a Lotus-Eater Machine living out his fantasies, like he's become an Admiral and his abusive dad is finally going to approve of him.
    Dad: I'm sorry to barge in on you and your officer chummies, but...
    Rimmer: Yes?
    Dad: I just wanted to tell you...
    Rimmer: Yes?
    Dad: I just wanted to say...you're a total smeghead!
    Rimmer: What?! This isn't my fantasy!
    The Cat: (Walk-In Chime-In) No, it's mine!
  • One 1997 sketch by Rory Bremner imagined Tony Blair making a victory speech to his supporters, and paying tribute to the woman who inspired him. We're led to think it's his wife... until he names her as Margaret Thatcher.
  • In Scrubs: "Sticks and stones will break my bones... but words will hurt forever."
  • Sense8: While giving a toast at her sister's wedding, Nomi says, "people think Teagan is nice, but they're wrong. She's not nice. *beat* She's super nice.
  • Sherlock:
    • Sherlock makes one on Anderson's expense in "The Reichenbach Fall" when they uncover the Invisible Writing at the boarding school.
      Anderson: Not much use, it doesn't lead us to the kidnapper.
      Sherlock: Brilliant, Anderson.
      Anderson: Really?
      Sherlock: Yes, brilliant impression of an idiot.
    • At the start of "The Great Game", a man who stabbed his girlfriend to death is appealing to Holmes to take his case.
      Pierce: Everyone says you're the best. Without you, Mr Holmes, I'll get hung for this.
      Sherlock: No, no, Mr Pierce, not at all. Hanged, yes.
  • Star Trek: Voyager. The episode "Tuvix" is about two main characters, Tuvok and Neelix, who are combined via a Teleporter Accident into one person who decides to call himself...Neevok! He then decides Tuvix is better.
  • The live-action segment of The Super Mario Bros. Super Show! had one episode where the President ate a pizza at Mario and Luigi's place (No, really). He said it wasn't good. It was GREAT!
  • In Top Gear (UK), the presenters often speak this way when introducing the Top Gear Stuntman.
    Richard Hammond: However, there has to be a person inside the car while it's rolling. And that person is going to be me... introducing you to our stuntman, Steve.
    James May: Over the years, he's taken quite a few knocks, and there isn't a movie director who hasn't asked for him... to be thrown off the set. Ronin, The Rock, The Bourne Identity: these are just a few of the films he hasn't worked on.
  • Done negatively by Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who says things like:
    ... you've been a great audience; for me to poop on!
    On a scale from one to ten; how old is Michael's boyfriend.

    Music 
  • 10cc's song "Dreadlock Holiday" features a hapless tourist trying to win over some random thugs who are about to beat him up, with the chorus:
    I don't like cricket, oh no/I love it!
    I don't like reggae, no no/I love it!
    Don't like Jamaica, oh no/I love her!
  • German entertainer Bürger Lars Dietrich has a song (co-written by Stefan Raab) titled "Ich bring' Dich um" ("I'm killing you). The full line is "Ich bring' Dich um den Verstand" ("I'm driving you out of your mind").
  • The Lit song Miserable has the refrain "You make me come. You make me complete. You make me completely miserable."
  • A Boy Named Sue has the singer realize that being called Sue actually made him tough. So at the end of the song he says:
    Sue: And if I ever have a son, I think I'm gonna name him... Bill! Or George! Anything but Sue! I still hate that name!
  • "Bimbo No. 5" is a parody song of Lou Bega / Pérez Prado's "Mambo No 5" about the various sexual indiscretions of Bill Clinton, performed by an unknown artist as Bill Clinton. It includes the following lyric...
    ...To the hotel around the corner / Girls wanna do the president, but I really don't wanna... get caught like I did last year
  • "Weird Al" Yankovic's "Your Horoscope for Today" is full of these.
    Virgo: All Virgos are extremely friendly and intelligent… except for you!
    Expect a big surprise today… when you wind up with your head impaled upon a stick!
  • The Barenaked Ladies song "Am I the Only One" does this several times.
    Am I the only one who loves when you leave...
    your hair down in front of your eyes?

    Podcasts 
  • From Harley of Find Us Alive, in Episode 01:
    Something tells me Dr. Lancaster never really liked being down here.
    (Beat)
    It was him, he was what told me. All the time. 90% of what he'd talk about at staff drinks.

    Puppet Shows 
  • In "This Is Your Life, Bear" from Bear in the Big Blue House, the radio station W-CHA-CHA is holding a contest to identify a particular cha-cha song and its artist. Bear calls in and identifies it to the DJ, Harry O'Hare, as Cha Cha Party by Swifty Sloth and the Cha Cha Chimps. Harry tells him "Ohhhh... so close and yet so absolutely right!"
  • In "We Love You, Wembley" from Fraggle Rock, Wembley makes friends with a Fraggle named Lou. Mokey, convinced that Wembley is in love with Lou, drags Wembley to see Marjory the Trash Heap to ask her how to make Lou love Wembley back.
    The Trash Heap: Well, young Fraggle, love is not found in the market. It's not found under any bush, I can tell you.
    Wembley: I... I think I just should forget the whole thing and go home.
    Mokey: Wembley...!
    The Trash Heap: No, it's found right here! Now, come on, boys, where are those love potions? Help me find the stuff!
  • In "One Teacup, Two Friends" from The Pajanimals, Cowbella realizes that she's sad that Sweetpea Sue is sad that she wouldn't share her teacup with her. She says that she's not going to share the teacup with her... she's going to give it to her, because they're family and she cares about how she feels. Sweetpea Sue, however, decides that they should just share it, so that they can play together.

    Radio 
  • On Kay Kyser's Kollege of Musical Knowledge, Kay would greet incorrect answers from contestants with his catchphrase "That's right, you're wrong!"
  • This is a staple of I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. From an introduction to one episode:
    Humphrey Lyttelton: Local Leeds celebrities include Jimmy Saville, Melanie Brown, and of course, our own Barry Cryer! ...Has seen them on the telly.
  • Happens a lot on Hello Cheeky.
    Barry: John's got a lovely singing voice... why does he never use it?
  • This happens a lot on The Goon Show. Even the musical acts have done it:
    Ray Ellington: These guys must think I'm stupid or something. They think I can't tell a waltz from a tango.
    Rest of the Quartet: Well... can you?
    Ray Ellington: I have one word for you... No!
  • The Now Show: Laura Smyth talking about her time as a teacher:
    Laura: I myself was not really cut out for how sensible you have to be as a teacher. You know, it was all "Stop running down the corridors!" "Spit out your chewing gum!" "Stop selling contraband in the playground!" and I was like "You can't talk to me like that!"

    Roleplay 
  • Dawn of a New Age: Oldport Blues:
    • Barbra seems like she's admonishing Jacob when he doesn't seem to care about Finn being expelled, only to crack a smile and admit that she doesn't care about Finn either.
    • Agent Travers informs Principal Shooter that she has snipers trained on their position. She then yells 'SHOOT', much to Shooter's terror, but she's berating herself for forgetting something rather than giving them a command to fire.
    • For a second, it seems like Jemimah is horrified to discover that everyone has superpowers. But then she bursts with excitement, yapping happily to the girl that threw a spear at her and marveling at the giant bug monster.

    Stand-Up Comedy 
  • This is comedienne Wendy Liebman's basic style:
    "I'm a traditional woman; I love it when a guy pays… for sex."
    "I just got married to a guy who has a five-year-old… mentality."
    "I sat next to this guy on the plane and I could tell he really wanted me...to shut up."
  • One comic made a far less serious observation on teacher's wages than the example in the Real Life heading:
    "I think it's absolutely tragic that a prostitute makes more money per year than a public school teacher. We have got to start paying our prostitutes as poorly as we do our children's educators!"
  • A twofer example: Tim Minchin attempts to stop his baby daughter from eating coins.
    Tim: Darling, you don't put coins in your mouth. Coins are dirty. Coins are yucky. You don't put coins in your mouth, your mouth is for food... and a little later on, cock.
    Tim's Wife: [appalled] TIM! For Christ's sake, you can't SAY that! ...She might like pussy.
  • John Mulaney:
    [I don't care for] these new Nazis, "oh, Jews are the worst, and Jews ruin everything, and Jews try to take over your life". Well, you know what, motherfucker? My wife is Jewish! I already know all that stuff, how the fuck do you know all that stuff?!
  • Steve Martin has also been known to deploy these.
    "I believe that sex is one of the most beautiful, natural, wholesome things...that money can buy."

    Theatre 
  • In Can-Can, struggling artist Boris arranges to have his work seen by an influential art critic, then waits anxiously for the critic's review to appear in the newspaper. The review begins by talking about the joy of discovering a fresh new talent — before saying that in Boris's case he got no joy because Boris has no talent whatever, then proceeding to rip his work to shreds.

    Video Games 
  • Battletoads (2020):
    Zitz: Okay, Rash, where do we find The Dark Queen?
    Rash: Not where - when!
    Pimple: Ohh... Time travel?!
    Rash: No, we'll leave when I've cleaned myself up. Then we're renting Turbo Bikes baby!
  • A Bite at Freddy's: During the Final Course, the manager of Freddy Fazbear's Grill says that the place was never the same again after an incident called "the bite" happened. This event was not an animatronic biting a patron, as is often depicted in other Five Nights at Freddy's-related media, but a patron biting one of the animatronics.
    Manager: Some kid went up and bit a huge chunk right out of Fredbear's face. Tore it right off.
  • Before the gladiator battles in Blackguards:
    Niam: Do I have to fight, too?
    Tulefa: Nobody can force you to, sweetheart.
    Tulefa: But I recommend that you at least parry your enemies' blows.
  • A more subtle example in Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, after Makoto decided not to inform Kyoko about the altercation between Sakura and Monokuma. When the two are alone in the nurse's office, Kyoko begins to understand why Makoto didn't tell her. Although, his hopes were slightly dashed when she told him this:
  • In Chapter 1 of Deltarune, Ralsei gives Susie a lecture saying that she caused more harm than good in the previous battle by singlemindedly focusing on attacking the enemy and was guilty of various other unheroic actions, from attacking others to eating someone's cake, before concluding by saying that she should start acting like a hero. Susie says that she'll stop acting like a "rotten hero"... and join the bad guys instead.
  • Fallout 4: Bring Paladin Danse, a member of the Brotherhood of Steel, to the Castle after it's been retaken by the Minutemen, and he has this to say:
    Danse: The Minutemen remind me of the Brotherhood when Elder Lyons was in charge... unfocused and far too charitable for their own good.
  • In Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, the following exchange occurs in Marcia's support with her former superior Tanith, Deputy Commander of the Holy Guard of Begnion. Marcia has understandable reasons for deserting, since she wanted to find her brother Makalov, and hopes that Sigrun, commander of the Holy Guard, will be more lenient than Tanith.
    Tanith: ...Commander Sigrun is a charitable person. She says she is willing to overlook your desertion.
    Marcia: Phew...
    Tanith: However! I put an end to that nonsense! I told her that I would bring you back at any cost and deliver the appropriate penalty. I hope you're ready!
  • In Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the following exchange occurs in a support conversation between the idealistic Ashe, who wants to become a knight, and the more cynical Felix, who has a dim view of chivalry after the death of his older brother Glenn, when they're discussing a story about a knight.
    Felix: Such blind enthusiasm is dangerous. Be more moderate in your passions.
    Ashe: [annoyed] You know something, Felix?
    Felix: …
    Ashe: [smiles] You are exactly like the knight in this story!
  • GreedFall: One quest involves discovering that members of the Ordo Luminis have a secret torture camp for forced conversion of the natives. One possibility for when this information is revealed, is for another Inquisitor to be shocked and mentioning that he had no idea that the camp even existed, and it seems like he's about to condemn it... but instead says he'll proudly continue his colleague's work.
    Inquisitor: What are you talking about? Are you saying Claudius managed to complete his great conversion camp project?
    De Sardet: Don't pretend that you did not know!
    Inquisitor: I did not, but now that I do... I will do everything in my power to continue his work!
  • In the good ending of Heart of the Woods, with Evelyn dead, Geladura once again Fairy Queen, the ancestral tree restored and Madison and Abigail returned to life, the cast prepares to leave Eysenfeld. Abigail has the following to say before they go.
    Abigail: I said before that I had come to love the forest as much as I possibly could. But now, when we're about to leave, I realize that I was wrong. Because I love it more now than I ever have before.
  • In Highway Blossoms, Joe travels with his long-time friend, the alcoholic troublemaker Mariah, and Mariah's much younger sister Tess. Joe says that this is because, "One of them needs someone to look out for her, and the other's ten.note "
  • In Homescapes Austin comments that Robbie now has a fear of raccoons after one stole his good saw.
    Olivia: Reminds me of the incident with the neighbor's cat and little Austin. He cried so hard, poor thing!
    Robbie: I remember that! It took us a long time to console the cat!
  • Kingdom Hearts:
    • In Kingdom Hearts II, King Mickey refuses to break his promise to Riku regarding his Ansem form. Sora spends the entire game looking for Riku, and when he finds out about the promise...
      Sora: (annoyed) You made a promise to Riku? ("cheerfully") So he's okay! I can see him again!
    • Kingdom Hearts ReCoded has the White Rabbit do this when Sora makes a wrong guess as to what he lost.
      White Rabbit: Why yes, of course! You're absolutely... wrong.
  • In The Last of Us Part II, Nora, who participated in the brutal murder of Joel, the protagonist of the first game, says that she can still hear her victim's screaming when confronted by a vengeful Ellie. This would imply that she regrets what she did... until she says that the person in question deserved to die.
  • Raiden does this in the end of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance. After hearing the Big Bad's Motive Rant and getting a sincere offer of We Can Rule Together, Raiden takes his hand seemingly in a gesture of friendship...
    Raiden: I was wrong. You're not greedy... YOU'RE BATSHIT INSANE!
  • Nobody Saves the World: After Nobody gathers the stars needed to access the king's castle by beating two monster-infested dungeons, the king says that only a very powerful wizard could've gathered them. Then he asks Nobody to introduce him to said wizard. Then, after Nobody defeats the monsters in the castle, the king comments how hard and scary it was... for him to wait outside while Nobody did all the work.
  • In one of the universes present in the Perpetual Testing Initiative of Portal 2, Cave Johnson insists the cafeteria staff lay off the Soylent Green after a horrifying memo from the president:
    Cave Johnson: I'm holding a memo from the president, and it seems that Soylent Green is... let's see here... doubling in price. Now, listen up, I don't care how good people tastes. This stuff is costing me more than lobster, so we're going back to fishsticks.
  • Ratchet: Deadlocked has this exchange when Gleeman Vox talks with Ace Hardlight about the latter's merchandise sales;
    Vox: Ace Hardlight is the perfectly manufactured celebrity straight from the presses of the Gleeman Vox media empire. So tell me, why is it that I can't give this stuff away?!
  • Red Dead Redemption 2 has Arthur Morgan who can talk to people in this manner if you "greet" first and "antagonize" right after.
    Arthur: You have a kind face... the kind I'd like to punch!
  • The Soldier of Team Fortress 2 has a good one:
    Soldier: That was an amazing killing spree... BY THE OTHER TEAM!
  • Undertale has a Bait and Switch Comment from Papyrus that looks like a setup for an insult regarding his lazy brother Sans until you remember that Papyrus is a total Nice Guy without a mean bone in his body.
    Papyrus: GARBAGE, HUH? BOY, DO I KNOW GARBAGE!! AFTER ALL, I'M HOUSEMATES WITH A LAZY BAG OF TRASH! HIS NAME'S TRASHY. HE LIVES IN THE GARBAGE CAN.
    Papyrus: [when called again] YOU DIDN'T THINK I DIDN'T NAME MY GARBAGE, DID YOU?
    • A more depressing version (also by Papyrus), establishing just how lonely he really is.
      Papyrus: ALLOW ME TO TELL YOU ABOUT SOME COMPLEX FEELINGS. FEELINGS LIKE... THE JOY OF FINDING ANOTHER PASTA LOVER. THE ADMIRATION FOR ANOTHER'S PUZZLE-SOLVING SKILLS. THE DESIRE TO HAVE A COOL, SMART PERSON THINK YOU ARE COOL. THESE FEELINGS... THEY MUST BE WHAT YOU ARE FEELING RIGHT NOW!!!
    • In the True Pacifist ending, when all of the monsters you've befriended rally together against Flowey the Flower, he has a moment of shock... right before absorbing all their souls as well. The power of all the monster souls (which is equivalent to one human soul) plus the six human souls, effectively makes Flowey all-powerful.:
      "I can't believe it... (grins maniacally) I can't believe you're all so STUPID!"
  • A Very Long Rope to the Top of the Sky: Desdemona's response to Flavio using a sermon as pretense to hit on the all-female congregation. She's outraged like everyone else, but her reason is different. Then Deidre, who started the outrage, got surprised too.
    Desdemona: You make me sick. How could you hit on her when I'm sitting right here?!
    Deidre: Yeah! [pause for player input] Wait, what?!
  • In World of Warcraft the Isle of Thunder has a daily quest where you find and reassemble the pieces of an enchanted mogu statue, the head of which frequently criticizes your skill in combat. One of its comments after you kill an enemy on the island is "What a pitiful creature. And the thing you just killed."
  • Yakuza: Like a Dragon; Jo Sawashiro has this to say after Ichiban brings him some cash (that he got from his boss' son Masato) to cover his quota for the day:
    "Nice work out there... Is that what you thought I'd say?!" (punches Ichiban in the gut)

    Web Animation 
  • DSBT InsaniT: In 'Store Story', after Killdra gets a hold of Stephanie's mic to unbrainwash the people Stephanie had brainwashed, she prepares an offer to Lisa.
    Killdra: Lisa, this is what I need you to do.
    Lisa: Waaaay ahead of ya! You want me to sing a duet with you so we match the musical power you and Stephanie had?
    Killdra: Actually, I was going to tell you to buy us some victory chocolate, but yeah, I suppose another duet would be just as good, I guess.
    Lisa: Oh you're so caring, Killdra!
  • Hazbin Hotel:
    • After Charlie tries to sell the crowd of her rehabilitation hotel with a song, one demon pops up with what appears to be a huge smile and genuine appreciation for her performance:
      Demon: (awed voice) Wow... That was shit!
    • When the man who stole his drugs is crushed by a giant boulder out of nowhere, Angel Dust gasps in horror.
      Angel Dust: Oh my god! (Beat) My drugs!
  • Homestar Runner:
    • The King of Town's reaction to being offered a "fun-sized" Butterfinger bar in "The House That Gave Sucky Treats":
      King of Town: That's it?! Well, if you think I'll accept this paltry treat just because it has "butter" in the name... well, you'd be right. Give it here!
    • "The Baloneyman" has Homestar's reaction to Strong Sad opening a "dusty novel" stand:
      Homestar: Strong Sad, you've had some bad ideas in your time, but this is the best idea you've ever had!
  • Power Star 4.5: This happens during the epilogue when the viewer is led to believe that Luigi deeply regretted his irreverent behavior toward Mario...
    After laughing for hours, Luigi realized what he had done. The next day, Luigi took his knife... and returned it to Wal-Mart.
  • Sonic Colors: Rise of the Wisps has this moment after Sonic defeats Metal Sonic with the help of a Jade Wisp and a team of Wisp vigilantes:
    Sonic: Tails, what's wrong?
    Tails: We were able to save Jade's friends, but there's still so many Wisps in danger— thousands of them. I'm just... not sure we can save all of them.
    Sonic: You're right, pal. We probably can't... 'cause these guys might beat us to it!
    (cue the Wisps Sonic and co. saved freeing their siblings all over the planet)
  • In Sonic for Hire, during the Casino Zone robbery after Sonic made the mistake of getting caught before the heist, Shredder shows up to cut him loose.
    Shredder: When I'm through with you, you're going to be a lot less of a man!
    Sonic: Oh man... you're gonna do the chair rope thing from Casino Royale aren't you?
    Shredder: No, my friend, I have something special planned for you. Have you ever seen The Human Centipede?
    Sonic: Yeah...?
    Shredder: It's fucking gross right? Anyway my plan is nothing like that.
  • In Terrible Writing Advice, during the "Urban Fantasy" video, the creator asks whether your story needs a Love Triangle. Since it's a trope he particularly hates, hence why he suggests using it in videos full of comically bad advice, one would wonder why he's even asking that question. He then answers that no, you do not... not when you can have a Love Dodecahedron instead.

    Web Comics 
  • In Erfworld, Prince Tramennis greets his fallen brother, (formerly Prince) Ossomer, after Ossomer had been killed and Decrypted by Wanda, just like Ansom was.
    Tramennis: Brother, it pains me to see you like this.
    Ossomer: Yes, I imagine it...
    Tramennis: Ansom! Now, Ansom could, admittedly, pull off the scarlet-and-black. But I'm sorry, that is an atrocious look on you.
  • The page quote for Goblins:
    Thaco: We are not jumping off this roof to our deaths!
    [long pause]
    Thaco: We're jumping off that roof to our deaths. It's got a tree.
  • The Karnak Hates Everything Show: An early arc has Ohmdalar send his lackey Homnibombus into Hell, so he can fight Karnak and test his power. 'Bombus comes back and gives his assesment: Karnak's power has not grown at all since their Great Offscreen War. One expects Ohmdalar to be gladdened by this news. Instead he gives an embittered "curseees..." in response, because if Karnak's power has remained in the same level as before, it means he's still stronger than him.
  • Happens in this strip of Zero Percent Discount, where bullying switches to flattery.
  • Stand Still, Stay Silent: When the crew's vehicle breaks down for a good, Mikkel points out it fortunately happened not that far away from their final destination, where a boat is supposed to pick them up. In fact, the destination is close enough that a lightly equipped person in good condition could get there in two days with ease. This also means that the crew members themselves will be able to make the trip in a week; they are expected to bring a large quantity of books back to their employers, are running out of food and at least one of them is ill by the time this happens.
  • A few examples from The Order of the Stick:
    • After searching the coordinates for Girard's Gate for several days, they are greeted by an inactive spell that responds to several keywords, triggering a message.
      Illusion!Girard: If you are hearing this recorded illusion, the heuristic magic has determined that you are at least 90% likely to be Soon Kim -
      Roy: Now we're getting somewhere!
      Illusion!Girard: - or one of his fascist paladin lackeys.
      Vaarsuvius: But it does not appear to be somewhere we would like.
      [continued speech covers Your Princess Is in Another Castle!, You Should Have Died Instead, and Give My Regards in the Next World]
    • Roy and Belkar try to leave the gladiator arena after Roy barely defeats Thog... and immediately walk into General Tarquin.
      Tarquin: Surely you didn't think you would be able to just walk out of here after wrecking my arena—
      Tarquin: —at least, not before I got the chance to tell you how totally badass that fight was!
    • After Belkar has a conversation about his cooking skills with O-Chul and Lien, he tells Mr Scruffy. "That was so strange. I think that was the first conversation with a paladin I've ever had that wasn't dripping in judgement and hostility. And they were nice, too!"
    • Late in the series, as the heroes fight to protect the final gate, O-Chul states that he and the other paladins of Azure City carry out the late Lord Soon's will to protect the gate. Serini, who manipulated her other companions into helping her build the labyrinth to protect the gate, says, "Maybe you're right. Here I am, and Soon's contribution has been right in front of me this whole time," before adding, "His pathetic, underpowered, dim-witted contribution."
  • In General Protection Fault, at the end of Nick's job interview, Dwayne gives Nick a speech about how difficult hiring decisions are, as if to lead in to rejecting him. He then concludes the speech by welcoming Nick aboard, leading Nick to comment about how Dwayne faked him out.
  • Never Satisfied: Magister Lapointe pulls this on January during their chapter five conversation, twice. The first time, she asks why Seiji isn't with her... because she wanted him to know he was getting replaced. The second time, she mentions she's heard about January contributing to Sylas dropping out of the contest and asks if she bullied him. When she guiltily responds that she told him to do them all a favor and choose himself, Lapointe remarks that he certainly did.
  • Penny Arcade:

    Web Original 
  • This is a not uncommon format for Cracked article titles, such as "10 Awesome Ads (For Traumatizing Children)".
  • In one of his earliest reviews, The Angry Video Game Nerd described the Power Glove (an infamous NES peripheral) as a potentially big step in innovative gaming... 'but too bad they were just FUCKING JERKING OFF!'
  • There are several Advice-Animal-style memes based around this, where the top line follows a stereotype of some sort and the bottom line changes the meaning. For instance, Successful Black Man ("I got Arrested... Development on DVD"), Ordinary Muslim Man ("We are going to blow up... a bouncy house for my daughter's birthday"), Almost-PC Redneck ("I fully support the right of my daughter to express her love for her girlfriend in public... It's pretty hot") or Dating Site Murderer ("I will slice you... a delicious piece of this Thanksgiving turkey").
    • The world of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic memes has its own variation on this format, the 'Well-Intentioned Celestia'; in the top line, she appears to be the moon-banishment-happy tyrant she is so often memetically portrayed as, while the bottom lean reveals the perfectly innocuous thing she was trying to say ("Luna, I'm sending you to the moon... walking lessons; that's sure to make you more popular!") One example has her accidentally causing the infamous 'Cupcakes' fanfic in this manner: "Pinkie Pie, I want you to cut up Rainbow Dash... a slice of this delicious cake!"
  • Dragon Ball Z Abridged - The Return of Cooler:
    Cooler: How?! It literally doesn't make any sense! It took everything you had to defeat a single me. Yet you had enough power to overload the Big Gete Star?! HOW?! HOW DID YOU DO THIS?!
    Goku: It looks like... you underestimated our power. Just like—
    Cooler: Don't you DARE—
    Goku: —you did on Earth.
    Cooler: Oh. Fair enou—
    Vegeta: And just like Freeza.
    Cooler: GRAURHHAAAAAA
  • The They Had Us In The First Half meme consists of attaching this image to anything the poster considers to follow this trope.
  • Some Troll copypasta such as 5ever have the intended recipient of the comment tragically dying after the bait but before the switch. For example, a man tells a woman he no longer wants to be her boyfriend, leading to her death before he can clarify that he wants to be her husband.
  • SF Debris:
  • The Music Video Show:
    • In episode 4:
      "So the rest of the video is just her posing...and she does a pretty good job at it. She's posing as a singer, someone we should give a crap about..."
    • Two of them in episode 6:
      "I remember that time at the mall with the both of us in the dressing room. Wore those high riding panties and that matching bra...and of course, what you were wearing was cute too."
    • In episode 15:
      "I don't know why people see Kevin Federline as a one hit wonder...I can't see this guy topping a song that went nowhere."
  • In 20 Haunting Halloween Facts by Matthew Santoro, Matthew says, "Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is always held on October 31st, and has been celebrated for over 2000 years. That's as old a legend as that guy that can walk on water, move a boulder with his bare hands, and turn water into wine! What's his name again? Oh yeah, Chuck Norris!"
  • In Bronies React: The Season 5 Trailer, AnimatedJames mentions that the setup of the tree, the chest, the castle and the map sounds like something straight out of a The Legend of Zelda game. You're expecting him to mention The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (and in fact the logo of that game is briefly seen for a short while) but instead he mentions The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
  • In this parody of a dating website ad, which promises to get people together with a romantic partner, but makes no promises as to how healthy the relationship will be, the sales pitch is less than optimistic.
    "Here at Giveupandsettle.com, we believe there's someone in the world that is perfect for you, and we're here to help you... (music briefly stops) get over the fact that you're never gonna meet that person."
  • In this tweet by the One Piece YouTube channel Grand Line Review, the uploader shows a picture of Buggy and Shanks, with the caption:
    "One of these kids would go on to become a terrifying, well respected, and world-renowned pirate. The other one is Shanks."Explanation 
  • Princess Natasha: In "Princess 3", Greg is revealed to be a fan of Princess Natasha and comments on the fact the exchange student living at his home is named "Natasha" and comes from the Princess' homeland, making it seem he's finally connecting the dots. He ends up assuming the exchange student is just a less cool namesake of the Princess.
  • Spirit of the Law: Discussed in "Top Unusual (Outside the Box) Strategies" as one of the strategies, said strategy involving passing yourself as a friendly chatter in an Age of Empires II team game and announcing your teammate that you're going to do a Knight rush hoping your opponent to field Halberdiers, so you can instead pull off an Archer rush.
  • StacheBros:
    • In "Who Killed Toadsworth?", when Toadsworth introduces his guests at his birthday party:
    Toadsworth: Now, as you know, I'm a killer...
    [everyone screams]
    Toadsworth: ...when it comes to throwing parties.
    Everyone: Oh.
    Toadsworth: But that's besides the point. I will murder...
    [everyone gasps]
    Toadsworth: ...your tastebuds when you try my delectable Salisbury steak! I had a lot of fun making this one. Now, [holds up a knife] WITHOUT FURTHER ADO...
    [everyone screams]
    Toadsworth: ...I will cut the first piece of steak.
    Everyone: Oh.
    • In the Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon episode of "Luigi Time!!!", when Luigi tries to talk Toadsworth out of charging him for Mario's de-paperization operation:
    Toadsworth: Look, you two have done a lot for our kingdom, and for that, I truly owe you, so you've got to realize that... I feel no guilt not helping you ever.
    Luigi: You mean it?!
    Toadsworth: That's right!
    Luigi: Well, we're screwed.
    • In "Super Donkey Kong Bros", when Donkey Kong calls Toadsworth an old man after accusing Mario of stealing the Great Banana:
    Toadsworth: Oh. My. Gosh. [in an increasingly angry tone] In all my years of living, I have never... [in a joyful tone] HAD SUCH A GREAT IDEA!
  • The Warp Zone: In Is “The Last Jedi” Bad? (Fanboy Court), the hater complains about the Canto Bight scenes' pacing in The Last Jedi. The Fanboy says, "I agree. The Canto Bight scenes may seem a little pointless... to a PHILISTINE!"

    Western Animation 
  • Adventure Time:
    • In "Apple Wedding", Cinnamon Bun was told "take these drinks around for us", so he took them around the forest... because he thought she said "Go to the zoo and back."
    • In "Morituri Te Salutamus", Finn is ordered to fight Jake at the behest of the Fight King, and Finn says "I can't kill my best friend... [...] without a bigger sword!" The Fight King rather unwisely hands over his BFS, which is also his Soul Jar, which turns out to be Finn's plan all along.
    • In "Burning Low", Princess Bubblegum seems to be jealous that Finn is spending time with Flame Princess. It turns out that PB was trying to keep them apart because Flame Princess will explode and destroy the world if she experiences an extreme emotional reaction.
  • American Dad!: "This... is... the best... example of terrible lemonade I've ever had."
    • In another episode, Stan looks forward to listening to the sound of a Nickelback CD... being crushed as he runs over it with his SUV.
    • Francine's description of Hayley and Jeff's marriage: "One's this macho alpha surging with testosterone, and then there's Jeff."
    • From "Daddy Queerest" (which, is important to note, aired in 2009)
    Terry: My dad's not gay!
    Stan: Yes, he is! That's why he can't accept himself! Like Kevin Spacey...in K-PAX. {Cue lengthy Aside Glance}
  • In the Arthur Christmas Special Arthur's Perfect Christmas, before releasing Arthur's class for the holidays, Mr. Ratburn says that they have to address the issue of homework. He elicits a cheer with his statement that he's decided not to assign them any reading, then says that he's assigning them a five-page essay about what they did over the holidays. Arthur grumbles to Buster that he knew it was too good to be true.
  • The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes: In "Gamma World, part 2", The Leader asks the Hulk it he really intends to stop him from creating his world of monsters. After all, in that world, the Hulk won't be feared, since he'll be no different than everyone else! The Hulk responds by saying that no, he isn't going to stop the Leader. He's going to smash him.
  • Beast Wars: When Large Ham Megatron learns the Vok are willing to annihilate the entire planet Earth just to remove him and the other Transformers, he couldn't help but comment, "What sheer ruthlessness. What disregard for sentient life... I rather like these aliens."
  • The Monster Across the Street on Beetlejuice says of Delia's artwork, "No, ma'am, I don't like it. I love it!"
  • In "Papa's Pizza" from the 2003 animated The Berenstain Bears, Brother and Sister Bear reveal to Mama Bear that they have both invited all of their friends over to play on Saturday. Mama, sounding troubled, says that it sounds less like just having friends over, and more like a party.
  • In the WildBrain version of "Caillou Is Sick," after Caillou's rash is diagnosed as poison ivy, she gives him a bath for comfort and Teddy a wash to clean off the poison ivy. Caillou then asks Mommy if they can go see Grandma now since she can't catch it. Mommy tells her that she's afraid not and he asks her why not.
    Mommy: Well, I'm afraid you can't go in your bathrobe, sweetie.
  • In Courage the Cowardly Dog, after Courage's computer takes control of Muriel and performs daring stunts while Courage receives Amusing Injuries trying to help her, he returns to the farmhouse to learn her whereabouts.
    Eustace: Now that lady's going skiing...
    Courage: (does smile of relief)
    Eustace: Off the top of the Empire State Building! And into a sewer!
    Courage: (groans)
  • Dexter's Laboratory: Done hilariously in "Dexter's Lab: A Story" after Dexter takes home a lost dog to do experiments on. When Dad comes upon his room, he asks, "How did this lab get in here?" Dexter, worried his father found out about the secret lab, runs back to his room and confesses...but Dad reveals he was actually talking about the dog — a Labrador retriever — which he has a thing for, and Dexter sighs in relief.
  • Many episodes of The Fairly OddParents! often have Timmy overhearing his parents' conversations, with him usually leaving either in grief or anger before they finish what they're saying. For example, Timmy thought his parents hated him because he overheard talk about how much of a burden he was to them, yet after he leaves they then finish out loud that what they previously said is completely opposite of how they really feel about their son. Yeah, Timmy's parents are a pair of Cloudcuckoolanders.
  • Family Guy does this a lot.
    • In the Stephen King episode, Peter, who is hosting and kicking off the next mini-story, described the plot of The Shining and speculates how Stewie would fit perfectly in the starring role, only to say that a parody of The Shawshank Redemption is up next.
    • From the episode "Family Gay":
      Peter: You know how you always wanted a real diamond engagement ring?
      Lois: Gasp! Oh my God!
      Peter: That's right, I bought a horse!
    • Probably the best one is also the earliest instance in the show:
      Peter: ...And that's my plan!
      Principal: Well, Mr. Griffin, I don't like it!
      [Peter dejectedly leaves and goes home, answering a phone call several hours later]
      Principal: ...I LOVE it!
    • A similar gag is done in this cutaway in "Brian Griffin's House of Payne".
  • In "Franklin the Engineer" from Franklin and Friends, after Franklin and the others accidentally break Mr. Mole's toy locomotive, Mr. Mole, sounding devastated comments "I've had this locomotive since I was seven..." only to then say "...and it's not the first time that it's broke."
  • The Great North: During the opening ceremony of the Little Mr. Ketchikan Canned Sausage Gentleman Pageant, Wolf introduces himself as the host and starts roasting people in the audience and the town of Lone Moose... with positive comments. He said Londra doesn't have good taste... because she lost her sense of taste in a chili pepper accident and she has everyone's empathy and respect. He said Alyson is always giving it away... by "it" he mean attention to those in need, by teaching free art classes at the Old Moose Senior Home, although Alyson does admit to having sex with lot of people. And then he states the town of Lone Moose is named after a lone moose because the town absolutely blows... other towns out of the water.
  • Kaeloo: In one episode, the characters are Playing House, and among the roles are Mr. Cat as the father and Quack Quack, a Funny Animal who wears nothing but a pair of underwear, as the daughter. Mr. Cat sees Quack Quack running and turns to the audience.
    Mr. Cat: That's my little girl, running around in just her underwear... they grow up so fast.
  • King of the Hill:
    • After Peggy saves her family's ranch by uncovering an old law that allowed her to transport cattle through the city for as long as the natural way is blocked, she expected her mother to thank her. Peggy's mother instead said she just fixed her own blunder (Peggy's mother was blaming the ranch's impending demise on Peggy not marrying the man her family arranged for her) and that she forgot to brand that cattle before transporting it.
    • In one episode Hank Hill and his friends are playing guitar and singing in the alley. Bill suggests that Hank play "Puff The Magic Dragon", whose lyrics are famously considered to be a drug metaphor. Hank replies, "Bill, do you know what that song is about?" (Pause.) "It's about a dragon. We're grown men."
    • Another instance involves the gang of four in the alley, where Bill is wearing dark sunglasses to conceal a black eye he received in a domestic dispute. Bill gives a poor excuse to Dale, which he describes as a "very interesting story", that he received it by accidentally walking into a door. Dale responds, "Hey, wait a minute..." An out of character moment where Dale actually figures out a cover-up is subverted when he concludes, "How was that interesting?"
    • Speaking of Dale, he once went to John Redcorn's to talk about a dream. In that dream, Dale saw a Native-American having sex with Nancy. When Dale told that, John Redcorn had an Oh, Crap! moment fearing Dale figured out. When Dale reached the part of Nancy giving birth with a baby wearing a headdress, John Redcorn feared Dale figured this out as well. Dale said he saw this dream as a sign he was a Native American as well. John Redcorn, of course, let Dale think it.
    • From "Husky Bobby":
      • After Bobby learns he gets to walk first and asks what Andy Maynard thinks: "I'll tell you what Andy Maynard thinks. ... (breaks into tears) Andy Maynard always goes on first."
      • And when Bobby has to leave when Hank doesn't let him walk, he tells the director that he won't get his time in the spotlight, and as he walks dejectedly, Hank stops him, and as a hopeful Bobby asks "What?", Hank then gets a poncho for him to wear until he gets in the car.
    • From "Westie Side Story":
      Connie: My dad makes me memorize 2000 vocabulary words for the SAT. He's such an autocrat.
      Bobby: What's a... S... A... T?
  • In the Let's Go Luna! episode "Didgeridoo and Carmen Too", Luna checks her watch to see how much time is left before it hits 3:00. She says "ten minutes" at first, but then clarifies that the clock struck 3:00 ten minutes ago.
  • The Loud House: In "Teacher's Union", Lincoln and Clyde confess to meddling in Coach Packowski's love life and inadvertently causing a disastrous date with Mrs. Johnson, and they ask him if he's going to punish them for it.
    Coach: Aw, kids, I'm not gonna punish you.
    (Lincoln and Clyde sigh with relief)
    Coach: I'm gonna TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!
  • In Megas XLR, during "The Return", when several robots arrive to claim Coop's champion belt, they head for his house.
    Jamie: Dude! They're heading for your house!
    Coop: My mom is home! She'll kill me!
  • Molly of Denali: This line from "Have Canoe, Will Paddle":
    Connie: "NO! What I want is for you to go home...and get some rest! We have a lot of work to do!"
  • My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic:
    • "Suited for Success" has Rarity's reaction to her friends finishing her dress for her:
      Fluttershy: Uh-oh, she doesn't like it...
      Rarity: No, I don't like it... I love it!!
    • "Over a Barrel" has Chief Thunderhooves' reaction to Pinkie Pie's "You Gotta Share" song.
      Thunderhooves: It seems the sheriff and I have come to an agreement... that was the worst performance we've ever seen.
    • In "Lesson Zero", Twilight Sparkle (who's desperate for a problem to solve so she can write a letter to Princess Celestia about it) sees Rainbow Dash tearing apart one of Applejack's barns:
      Twilight Sparkle: Rainbow must be angry with Applejack! She must hate her guts... How wonderful!
    • Used for drama in in "Crusaders Of The Lost Mark" with Diamond Tiara to show off her Hidden Depths and insecurities about her own Cutie Mark.
      Diamond Tiara: So, do you three just sit around here plotting out different ways to try and get your Cutie Marks?
      Apple Bloom: Actually, yeah.
      Diamond Tiara: You three are... Really lucky.
    • In "Sounds of Silence", Applejack asks Autumn Blaze why the other Kirin have taken a vow of silence.
      Autumn Blaze: [forlorn] It's a long story...
      Applejack: You'd rather not talk about it?
      Autumn Blaze: No...
      Applejack: I under—
      Autumn Blaze: [bursting into song] I'd rather siiiiiinnngggg!
  • Phineas and Ferb:
    • Near the end of "The Fast and the Phineas", when Candace thinks her brothers are getting busted:
      Linda: You mean...they...?
      Candace: Yeah yeah yeah! Hahahahaha!
      Linda: (overjoyed) They washed my car!?!
      Candace: YES! No...what?
    • In the episode "Split Personality", Doofenshmirtz tries to get over his childhood fear of the high dive:
      Doofenshmirtz: Hey! Hey, this isn't as bad as I remember! ...It's SO MUCH WORSE!
    • In the episode "Don't Even Blink", Doofenshmirtz developed an Invisinator. He explained that he developed it because, whenever the Fireside Girls knock at his door with him at home watching TV and the blinds open, they can see him so he cannot pretend he's not at home. He then told Perry the Platypus he intended to use the invisinator on... the girls so he'd not have to see them.
    • In "A Real Boy", Norm wanted Doofenshmirtz to see him as a son. In the end, Doof started a speech that gave the impression Norm's wish would come true. Instead, Doof said he saw Perry as a son.
  • The Simpsons provides several examples:
    • Mr. Burns does this multiple times in rapid succession, leading to Homer's heart attack, as seen in the page quote.
    • Another example in "The Fool Monty", reporting on Mr. Burns' death:
      Kent Brockman: A humanitarian. A philanthropist. A man of peace. These are among the people that have gathered at Springfield cemetery today to spit in Mr Burns' grave.
    • In "Mom And Pop Art", Ned Flanders a moment of frustration at Homer:
      Ned Flanders: GOD- [pause] bless him...
    • In "Sideshow Bob Roberts", Sideshow Bob (who had attempted to kill Bart on several occasions by this point) after catching Bart and Lisa snooping, shows up at their parents' front door.
    • Zigzagged by Mr Burns' opinion in "Brush With Greatness" on Marge's portrait of him:
      Mr Burns: I don't know much about art...but I know what I hate. And I don't hate this.
    • "Lisa the Vegetarian" has Lisa wandering around Springfield seeing people eating meat everywhere she goes. She sees a billboard reading "DON'T EAT BEEF." with a picture of a stern-looking woman in a doctor's uniform. Her face lights up... until the billboard changes to read "EAT DEER." with the same doctor woman preparing to eat a venison steak.
    • When Bart tries out for the role of Fallout Boy in "Radioactive Man", he is thrilled to be told he's the new Fallout Boy... until the director adds "That's what I'd be saying if you weren't an inch too short. Next!" After desperately trying to grow an inch by the next day, he returns to the audition room, upon which the director exclaims "We've found our new Fallout Boy! *Bart gasps* ...And he's right over there. *The director points at Milhouse, standing right behind Bart*" Later on, when Bart and Mickey Rooney try and fail to convince Milhouse to resume his role as Fallout Boy, Rooney says there's no problem because there's a new Fallout Boy right there. The next scene shows Rooney as Fallout Boy. When some teamsters start setting up the Simpsons house to film some scenes, Homer meets the director:
      Homer: Didn't you direct "Unnatural Discretion?"
      Director: (Delighted) Why yes, I did?
      Homer: Phew-wee, phew-wee!! [Director looks at homer annoyed] You know, I never walk out of a movie, but, Euggh!'
    • In "Bart Star", when Homer is coaching Bart's football team and cutting a bunch of kids, he turns to one boy and says: "Steven, I like your hustle. That's why it was so hard to cut you."
    • In "HOMR", a more-intelligent Homer spends some time bonding with Lisa at the Springfield Library.
      Lisa: Dad, did you read all these books today?
      Homer: Everything from Hop on Pop to Death Be Not Proud. (sniffles) It's so tragic the way they hopped on Pop.
  • SpongeBob SquarePants: When SpongeBob creates Bubble Buddy, we immediately cut to him on a seesaw with Bubble Buddy, completely lifeless and not moving the seesaw at all.
    SpongeBob: This... is... GREAT!
    • Another had SpongeBob help his friend Patrick submit a song which is shown to be so awful that it killed the band recording it and causes pain to everyone else within hearing distance. He plays it first with Spongebob by using a giant stereo that is so loud that it demolishes his pineapple. After Patrick asks him eagerly to give him his most honest opinion, Spongebob stares at him solemnly and moves his mouth as if to insult him.
      Spongebob: Um... how do I put this delicately — THAT WAS THE BEST SONG I EVER HEARD!
    • Another one, this time from "Just One Bite":
      Squidward: Why... this Krabby Patty may be the most... Horrible! Putrid! Poorly prepared! Vile! Unappetizing! Disgusting excuse for a sandwich it has ever been my displeasure to have slither down my throat! And I curse this Krabby Patty and all who enjoy them to an early and well-deserved grave!
    • And in "Sandy, SpongeBob and the Worm", Squidward's reaction to Patrick's suggestion to dig up Bikini Bottom and push it somewhere else:
      Squidward: That idea may just be crazy enough... TO GET US ALL KILLED!
    • From "All That Glitters"
      Doctor: SpongeBob, I hate to tell you this...
      Doctor: Actually, it's not that. I didn't get the acting part.
  • Star vs. the Forces of Evil: In "Bon Bon the Birthday Clown", Marco and Jackie go to the school dance together, but the event is very boring.
    Jackie: I think I made a mistake.
    Marco: What?
    Jackie: I should never have asked you to the dance.
    Marco: [defeated] Yeah... you're right... why would you ask me to go to the dance with you...
    Jackie: I should've just asked you out on a date.
    • In "Baby", the titular character delivers her evaluation of Star's magical talent to Queen Moon. When Moon assumes her daughter has failed the test, Baby responds that "Star is nowhere near your skill level at her age. She's far beyond it. In fact, I haven't seen anything like this since Queen Eclipsa."
  • Star Wars Rebels
  • Steven Universe:
    • "That Will Be All": Greg and Steven have been caught by Amethyst guards during an escape attempt from the Human Zoo, and are brought to a room where they find their Amethyst being held by the guards as well. It turns out she's been making friends and allies, but boy do she and her "Famethyst" love pranks.
      Amethyst: You won't believe what I've been through. These Amethysts, they're really, really... great!
    • "The Big Show": Sunshine Justice says that the recording she received of Sadie Killer and the Suspects is the worst she's ever heard. Which is a shame, because she loves the song, so they should try playing it somewhere with better recording equipment!
    • "Together Alone": Steven throws a ball on Pearl's suggestion to try to get White Diamond's attention because he wants to talk to her. After Yellow and Blue make their grand entrances preceded by their Pearls, White Pearl arrives and announces her Diamond... will not be attending as she has more important things to do.
  • The Tiny Toon Adventures episode "Who Bopped Bugs Bunny?", Bugs goes missing in Paris, and Buster and his friends vow to find him.
    Buster: We're not leaving Paris until we find Bugs! [beat] He has our roundtrip tickets.
  • Transformers: Animated: During the episode "Garbage In, Garbage Out", Ratchet declares he's going to have to make the ultimate sacrifice to stop Wreck-Gar from destroying the whole city... By apologizing to him.
    Wreck-Gar: Come again?
  • Wander over Yonder: Due to hijinks in "The Date", Lord Hater and a disguised Sylvia end up getting married. Commander Peepers has some choice words to say about it.
    Peepers: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to marry this stunning vision of loveliness... to some broad he met at a restaurant.
  • In "Snuggly Nest" on Waybuloo the Piplings don't like, but rather love some snuggly cushions made for them by Lau Lau.
  • Wayside:
    Mr. Kidswatter: Give that boy an F! For Fantastic!
  • Work It Out Wombats!: In "Summerweenie Halloweenie," Mr. E says that he hates Halloween, even though he doesn't really know what it's like. The wombats decide to take him trick-or-treating. Afterwards, he says "I still don't like Halloween. I LOVE IT!"

    Real Life 
  • This article on teachers' wages is one an intentional example, used to point out the Analogy Backfire of comparing teachers to babysitters.
    Teachers’ hefty salaries are driving up taxes, and they only work 9 or 10 months a year. It’s time we put things in perspective and pay them for what they do – babysit. We can get that for less than minimum wage. That’s right. Let’s give them $3 an hour and only the hours they worked; not any of that silly planning time, or any time they spend before or after school. That would be $19.50 a day (7:45 to 3:00 PM with 45 min. off for lunch and plan– that equals 6 1/2 hours). Each parent should pay $19.50 a day for these teachers to baby-sit their children. Now how many students do they teach in a day . . . maybe 30? So that’s $19.50 x 30 = $585.00 a day.
  • Dorothy Parker in a book review: "This is not a book to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force!"
  • Another intentional one- Mick Foley in his autobiography Have a Nice Day! relates the following from when he was in ECW and headed to the WWF. The crowd chanted at him "You sold out! You sold out!" Foley responded by getting on the mic.
    I have a feeling that a year from now, I'm going to have to look in the mirror and admit in my heart that I sold out... I sold out the Garden, I sold out the Coliseum, I sold out every damn arena in this country!
  • Another intentional one- when Madeleine L'Engle was asked whether the first movie adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time measured up to her expectations, she reportedly said, "Yes, it did. I expected it to be bad, and it was."
  • In a YouTube walkthrough for Nancy Drew: Stay Tuned for Danger, Michael Gray reads a cheesy script for Light of Our Love and responds with thrill and excitement. "Oh. Wow. This soap opera. Sounds. AWESOME!!!"
  • A joke about a Grumpy Old Man talking to his neighbors, two male bachelors: "Two guys, living in an apartment, with no women around, huh? You know what I call guys like that? Huh? I call 'em lucky bastards".
  • This passage from noted cosmopolitan thinker Kwame Anthony Appiah is a more chilling example of this in real life:
    They believe in human dignity across the nations, and they live their creed. They share these ideals with people in many countries, speaking many languages. As thoroughgoing globalists, they make full use of the World Wide Web. They resist the crass consumerism of modern Western society and deplore its influence in the rest of the world. But they also resist the temptations of the narrow nationalisms of the countries where they were born, along with the humble allegiances of kith and kin. They resist such humdrum loyalties because they get in the way of the one thing that matters: building a community of enlightened men and women across the world. That is one reason they reject traditional religious authorities (though they disapprove, too, of their obscurantism and temporizing). Sometimes they agonize in their discussions about whether they can reverse the world's evils or whether their struggle is hopeless. But mostly they soldier on in their efforts to make the world a better place...They are young, global Muslim fundamentalists.
  • Abraham Lincoln, needing advice on Simon Cameron, the Senator the Republican Party had basically picked for Lincoln's first Secretary of War, asked Cameron's fellow Pennsylvanian Thaddeus Stevens if he could trust Cameron. Stevens famously replied, "I do not believe he would steal a red-hot stove." (Cameron was notoriously corrupt.) Cameron, indignant, demanded that Stevens "retract" his statement. Stevens replied, "I said that Cameron would not steal a red-hot stove. I now take that back."
  • A popular humorous toast: "To our wives and sweethearts. May they never meet."
  • Upon winning his second World-Championship at UFC, Conor McGregor had this to say at the end of his victory speech:
    "From the bottom of me heart, I'd like to take this chance to apologize...TO ABSOLUTELY NOBODY! THE DOUBLE CHAMP DOES WHAT THE FUCK HE WANTS!!"
  • A t-shirt available (as of Februrary 2022) on several online shops:
    "POLYAMORY IS WRONG! It's either multiamory or polyphilia. But mixing Greek and Latin roots? Wrong!"

Cowell: I don't like this TV Tropes article... I love it!

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Esta Passant

A few days after getting in hot water for a spoof interview to the Virgin of El Rocio, Toni Soler, host of Catalan satirical show Esta Passant, makes it look like they are going to apologize at first... but instead launches into a tirade about the people and media who should be apologizing to THEM for their reactions, including one he can't bring himself to crack a joke about.

How well does it match the trope?

5 (2 votes)

Example of:

Main / OrderedApology

Media sources:

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