History Main / EasilyOverheardConversation

* Invoked in ''MetalGearSolid''. Snake listens in on Liquid and Ocelot talking about the override for Metal Gear REX, saying that only the PAL key can deactivate it. Of course, Snake uses the key [[spoiler: activates REX, which was their plan all along.]]

Another possible outcome is that the character actually heard the hidden truth, but [[ComicallyMissingThePoint comically missed the point]] and understood it all wrong. For example, TheDitz overhears a communist conspiracy, where someone points that when their EvilPlan is ready, [[BigBrotherIsWatching the Party will find anyone]]. But instead of realizing the threat, she understands that they are fun guys, with a project so that anyone will find a party. Of course, the evil ones will be worried when they realize that she heard them, and breath relaxed when they heard the misunderstanding, and try to maintain the ditz in the misunderstanding (for example, hosting a party or two, so that the thing stays credible).

Another possible outcome is that the character actually heard the hidden truth, but [[ComicallyMissingThePoint comically missed the point]] and understood it all wrong. For example, TheDitz overhears a communist conspiracy, where someone points that when their EvilPlan is ready, [[BigBrotherIsWatching the Party will find anyone]]. But instead of realizing the threat, she understands that they are fun guys, with a project so that [[InSovietRussiaTropeMocksYou anyone will find a party]]. Of course, the evil ones will be worried when they realize that she heard them, and breath relaxed when they heard the misunderstanding, and try to maintain the ditz in the misunderstanding (for example, hosting a party or two, so that the thing stays credible).

[[caption-width-right:350:"And now that there's nobody around, I have to [[TheReveal tell you a secret]]"]]

* The ''AssassinsCreed'' series has the player eavesdrop on people who are sometimes up to 30 or 40 feet away, often on crowded streets. This may be part of the assassins' heightened senses, along with Eagle Vision.

* In ''OfficeSpace'', right Peter, Michael, and Samir hatch their scheme to rob Innitech swear each other to secrecy, Lawrence, Peter's next door neighbor, calls through the wall that he won't tell anybody their plan either. Michael and Samir begin to freak out over the fact that they were overheard, but Peter assures them that Lawrence "is cool." That Lawrence can hear ''everything'' that goes on in Peter's place (due to the thin walls between their apartments) is something of a running gag throughout the movie.

* The AssassinsCreed series has the player eavesdrop on people who are sometimes up to 30 or 40 feet away, often on crowded streets. This may be part of the assassins' heightened senses, along with Eagle Vision.

* In ''BuffyTheVampireSlayer'', Dawn continually overhears conversations about her in season 5. Despite the problems this creates, they ''never'' learn.

* The AssassinsCreed series has the player eavesdrop on people who are sometimes up to 30 or 40 feet away. This may be part of the assassins' heightened senses, along with Eagle Vision.

Another possible outcome is that the character actually heard the hidden truth, but [[ComicallyMissingThePoint comically missed the point]] and understood it all wrong. For example, TheDitz overhears a communist conspiracy, where someone points that when their EvilPlan is ready, [[BigBrotherIsWatching the Party will find anyone]]. But instead of realizing the threat, she understands that they are fun guys, with a project so that [[InSovietRussiaTropeMocksYou anyone will find a party]]. Of course, the evil ones will be worried when they realize that she heard them, and breath relaxed when they heard the misundstanding, and try to mantain the ditz in the misunderstanding (for example, hosting a party or two, so that the thing stays credible).

Not to be confused with StageWhisper, which is about conversations being easily heard only by the ''audience''.

In most cases, there is a ongoind secret that is central to the character or the plot, and the hero or villain is talking freely about it with the SecretKeeper or the one who CannotSpitItOut. Unknown to them, someone else got near and overheard it. The time for TheReveal has come! [[CliffHanger Don't forget to tune the next episode, same hour, same TV channel!]] And, in the next episode, everything is solved with a contrived explanation. "Yes, I said that I would kill Storm, but I was not talking about the X-woman, I was just [[TalkAboutTheWeather talking about the weather]]".

In fiction, it doesn't matter how quietly you speak, people in the other room can still hear you. For example, if [[AliceAndBob Alice and Bob]] are in the kitchen discussing plans for Aerith's birthday gift, with hushed voices, then Aerith, who's living in the apartment across the hall will mention she doesn't want the gift they were talking about.

* In ''OfficeSpace'', right Peter, Michael, and Samir hatch their scheme to rob Innitech swear each other to secrecy, Lawrence, Peter's next door neighbor, calls through the wall that he won't tell anybody their plan either. Michael and Samir begin to freak out over the fact that they were overheard, but Peter assures them that Lawrence "is cool."

* In BuffyTheVampireSlayer, Dawn continually overhears conversations about her in season 5. Despite the problems this creates, they ''never'' learn.

* A running gag on ''Benson'' is that whenever Benson says something negative about Kraus, no matter ''how quietly he says it'', or ''how far away Kraus is'', she will yell out, "I heard that!"

Not to be confused with StageWhisperer, which is about conversations being easily heard only by the ''audience''.

In a {{Sitcom}}, it doesn't matter how quietly you speak, people in the other room can still hear you. For example, if [[AliceAndBob Alice and Bob]] are in the kitchen discussing plans for Aerith's birthday gift, with hushed voices, then Aerith, who's living in the apartment across the hall will mention she doesn't want the gift they were talking about.

For some reason, in the world of sitcoms, overhearing conversations through a closed door is easy, but through [[StageWhisper five feet of empty space?]] Impossible.

* Averted constantly in ''Benson''. A running gag on the show is that whenever Benson says something negative about Kraus, no matter ''how quietly he says it'', or ''how far away Kraus is'', she will yell out, "I heard that!"