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Catch Phrase
Catchphrase fight!

Robin: Holy cow!
Batgirl: You just had to say that.

An expression used by a character in numerous episodes of a show. Merely uttering this phrase in the office will key others in to the character you're referring to. For a line to be a Catch Phrase, it should be always the same, and not just catchy. Note: To be a catchphrase, the phrase must be repeated multiple times — just because something is the most memorable line of a movie does not make it a catchphrase unless it is said more than once.

Two like-minded characters can form a Catch Phrase Spouting Duo, creating an entire lexicon of catch phrases with astonishing efficiency. When everybody gets in on the action, it's a Share Phrase.

By the Power of Grayskull! and In the Name of the Moon are forms of Catch Phrase, as is Verbal Tic. Beam Me Up, Scotty! is a false or oft-misquoted Catch Phrase. If portions of the catchphrase vary depending on time, location, action, item, etc, then it's a Mad Libs Catch Phrase. If the character has a Badass Creed, that will probably double as a catch phrase. If one character is imitating another character, it's a Borrowed Catch Phrase; if they get it wrong, it's a Mangled Catch Phrase.

See also Arc Words, Catchphrase Interruptus, Flashback to Catchphrase, One-Liner, Phrase Catcher, Stock Phrases, Verbal Tic and Word Power. Also: "On the Next Episode of..." Catch Phrase, if you're looking for those said in episode previews to keep the audience excited. If a character appears to be setting up their catch phrase but then says something different, it's a Subverted Catch Phrase.

Contrast with Author Catchphrase, which is when a phrase is recycled across unrelated works by the same author/actor/creator. When the audience adopts a character's line as a catchphrase, then we get Memetic Mutation.

Not to be confused with the gameshow.

Examples


Breaking the Fourth WallAbridged Series TropesCharacter Exaggeration
The ArtifactSignature TropesAuthor Catchphrase
Captain ObviousTropes of LegendCharacter Development
Card-Carrying VillainCharacterization TropesCats Are Mean
ExpyOverdosed TropesUp to Eleven
Catchphrase InterruptusDialogueCensorship by Spelling
Busman's HolidayOlder Than RadioCat Scare

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