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Duplicate entries; the "fairy tales" folder seems to fit them better


* "The Fisherman and the Djinni" from ''One Thousand and One Nights'' (better known as ''Literature/ArabianNights''): The fisherman feigns skepticism to trick the djinni into returning to its bottle, which he promptly stoppers. Possibly the Ur-example of this trope.



* Puss In Boots from ''Literature/PussInBoots'' tricks the ogre into turning into a mouse, which Puss eats.
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* Used rather cleverly by Jon-Tom to [[spoiler: escape the mimicvines]] in the Literature/{{Spellsinger}} novel ''The Moment of the Magician.''
* Although not intentional, Mulgarith the ogre in ''Literature/TheSpiderwickChronicles'' is defeated when he turns into a bird to get away and ends up [[spoiler:eaten by Hogsqueal, who just happened to be hungry at the time]].
* While not a shapeshifter itself, [[Literature/{{Xanth}} Com-Pewter]] had the power to summon anything to serve it. The heroes escape its chamber by verbally expressing fear that it will summon [[spoiler: a female egret -- in other words, an egress]].

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* %%* ''Literature/{{Spellsinger}}'': Used rather cleverly by Jon-Tom to [[spoiler: escape the mimicvines]] in the Literature/{{Spellsinger}} novel ''The Moment of the Magician.''
* ''Literature/TheSpiderwickChronicles'': Although not intentional, Mulgarith Mulgarath the ogre in ''Literature/TheSpiderwickChronicles'' is defeated when he turns into a bird to get away and ends up [[spoiler:eaten by Hogsqueal, who just happened to be hungry at the time]].
* ''Literature/{{Xanth}}'': While not a shapeshifter itself, [[Literature/{{Xanth}} Com-Pewter]] had the power to Com-Pewter can summon anything to serve it. The heroes escape its chamber by verbally expressing fear that it will summon [[spoiler: a [[spoiler:a female egret -- in other words, an egress]].
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* The final battle in ''VideoGame/KingsQuestV'' has the hero engage in a shapeshifting duel with an evil wizard. After his first three forms are countered, the wizard gets mad and transforms into a raging fire... which is when that raincloud spell you just learned comes in real handy.

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* The final battle in ''VideoGame/KingsQuestV'' has the hero King Graham engage in a shapeshifting duel with an the evil wizard. sorcerer Mordack. After his first three forms are countered, the wizard Mordack gets mad and transforms into a raging fire... which is when that raincloud spell you Graham just learned comes in real handy.
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* ''Anime/Moomin1990'': The demon trapped inside a dead tree in "The Imp" is able to get out by turning to smoke and exiting through the straw he tricks Moomin's friends to place in a crack in the trunk. After Snufkin sees this happen, he pretends to believe the demon is a magician since he's too big to be able to fit in the straw and must have come from behind the tree. Offended, the demon decides to prove he's a real demon by returning back inside the tree in his smoky form, after which Snufkin removes the straw and leaves him trapped.
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* This has happened a few times in ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}''. The best example is when the Toa fought against a creature turns into whatever substance it is struck with. They incapacitate it by hitting it with glass, rendering it unable to move without hurting itself. Another monster that had SizeShifting powers and immunity to the Toa's powers was beaten by causing to grow so large that it couldn't hold itself together and evaporated due to its density becoming too low since the Toa figured out that its mass wasn't changing.

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* This has happened a few times in ''Toys/{{Bionicle}}''. The best example is when the Toa fought against a creature turns into whatever substance it is struck with. They incapacitate it by hitting it with glass, rendering it unable to move without hurting itself. itself, because it was so huge that it couldn't properly support its own weight in glass form. Another monster that had SizeShifting powers and immunity to the Toa's powers was beaten by causing to grow so large that it couldn't hold itself together and evaporated due to its density becoming too low since the Toa figured out that its mass wasn't changing.
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* There is a German book named ''Krabat'' that, even though it is shapeshifter vs. shapeshifter, has [[spoiler: Krabat]] win a fight with a much alike trick: When trying to hide (there are more attempts before this one), he turns into a corn and hides between other corns that a girl is feeding to chicken. After being thrown onto the floor, his enemy transforms into a chicken and starts picking the corn. Once he is close enough, [[spoiler: Krabat]] transforms into a fox and quickly bites off the chicken's head.

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* There is a German book named ''Krabat'' that, even though it is shapeshifter vs. shapeshifter, has [[spoiler: Krabat]] win a fight with a much alike very similar trick: When While trying to hide (there are more attempts before this one), he turns into a corn grain and hides between other corns among the grain that a girl is feeding to chicken. her chickens. After being he is thrown onto to the floor, his enemy transforms into a chicken and starts picking pecking at the corn.grain. Once he is close enough, [[spoiler: Krabat]] transforms into a fox and quickly bites off the chicken's head.
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* ''The Fisherman and the Jinni'', one of the core stories of the Literature/ArabianNights, has the eponymous fisherman trick the murderous JackassGenie he's accidentally released back into its bottle-prison, by "doubting" it could have ever fit inside there in the first place. Naturally, the prideful genie proves him wrong, and then the fisherman immediately reseals it inside.

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* ''The Fisherman and the Jinni'', one of the core stories of the Literature/ArabianNights, has the eponymous fisherman trick the murderous JackassGenie he's accidentally released back into its bottle-prison, by "doubting" it could have ever fit inside there in the first place. Naturally, the prideful genie proves him wrong, wrong… and then the fisherman immediately reseals it the bottle with the genie inside.
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* ''The Fisherman and the Genie'', one of the original Literature/ArabianNights coleltion, has the eponymous fisherman trick the murderous JackassGenie he's accidentally released back into its bottle-prison, by "doubting" it could have ever fit inside there in the first place. Naturally, the prideful genie proves him wrong, and then the fisherman immediately reseals it inside.

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* ''The Fisherman and the Genie'', Jinni'', one of the original Literature/ArabianNights coleltion, core stories of the Literature/ArabianNights, has the eponymous fisherman trick the murderous JackassGenie he's accidentally released back into its bottle-prison, by "doubting" it could have ever fit inside there in the first place. Naturally, the prideful genie proves him wrong, and then the fisherman immediately reseals it inside.
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* ''The Fisherman and the Genie'', one of the original Literature/ArabianNights coleltion, has the eponymous fisherman trick the murderous JackassGenie he's accidentally released back into its bottle-prison, by "doubting" it could have ever fit inside there in the first place. Naturally, the prideful genie proves him wrong, and then the fisherman immediately reseals it inside.
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-->-- ''Series/{{Goosebumps}}'', "Attack of the Mutant"

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-->-- ''Series/{{Goosebumps}}'', "Attack ''Series/Goosebumps1995'', "[[Recap/Goosebumps1995S2E2E3AttackOfTheMutant Attack of the Mutant"
Mutant]]"
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--> ''You know the trick. The clever mortal convinces the stupid djinni to squeeze inside a bottle (or some other confined space) then stoppers him up and refuses to let him out unless he grants three wishes, etc., etc. Ho hum.''
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** Also, he shouldn't go up against guys who know chemistry. Franchise/SpiderMan once got him to absorb one thing, then sprang his trap: dumping a ton of something that reacts explosively with what the Absorbing Man had become. Kaboom. (He recovered. Eventually.)

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** Also, he shouldn't go up against guys who know chemistry. Franchise/SpiderMan ComicBook/SpiderMan once got him to absorb one thing, then sprang his trap: dumping a ton of something that reacts explosively with what the Absorbing Man had become. Kaboom. (He recovered. Eventually.)



* ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeAndDitko'': In his first battle with the Sandman, Spider-Man feints an attack with a power drill. The Sandman evades it by turning into a cloud of dust, only for Spidey to jump through him and grab an industrial vacuum cleaner, then hoover up his foe.

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* ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeAndDitko'': In ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'': During his first battle with the Sandman, Sandman in ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeAndDitko'', Spider-Man feints an attack with a power drill. The Sandman evades it by turning into a cloud of dust, only for Spidey to jump through him and grab an industrial vacuum cleaner, then hoover up his foe.
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* The ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' book "Attack Of The Mutant" had a shape-shifting villain from a comic book actually be real. Early on, we're told that if the villain turns into liquid, he can't change back. A kid claimed to be a superhero who could only be killed by acid, so the villain turns into acid and thus is another ChekhovsGun fired.

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* The ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' book "Attack Of The Mutant" had ''Literature/AttackOfTheMutant'' has a shape-shifting villain from a comic book actually be real. Early on, we're told that if the villain turns into liquid, he can't change back. A kid claimed claims to be a superhero who could can only be killed by acid, so the villain turns into acid acid, and thus is another ChekhovsGun fired.
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* In a ''WesternAnimation/MightyMouse'' comic book, there's a story called "The Bad Genie". The genie, a [[CatsAreMean cat of course]], is a CardCarryingVillain who forces the mouse who freed him to serve him, and also pushes aside some houses so he can stretch out. After brute force, Mighty Mouse tries the "bet you can't fit in your lamp again" gambit, but he's too tired to argue...
* In an issue of ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'', Batman uses this tactic against the all-powerful Metron. Metron prides himself on his knowledge and has never been a human, so Batman convinces him to take on a flesh and blood form to see what it's like. Then Batman punches him in the face, drugs him and steals his [[TimeMachine Mobius Chair]].

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* In a ''WesternAnimation/MightyMouse'' comic book, there's a story called "The Bad Genie". The genie, a [[CatsAreMean cat of course]], is a CardCarryingVillain who forces the mouse who freed him to serve him, him and also pushes aside some houses so he can stretch out. After brute force, Mighty Mouse tries the "bet you can't fit in your lamp again" gambit, but he's too tired to argue...
* In an issue of ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'', Batman uses this tactic against the all-powerful Metron. Metron prides himself on his knowledge and has never been a human, so Batman convinces him to take on a flesh and blood flesh-and-blood form to see what it's like. Then Batman punches him in the face, drugs him him, and steals his [[TimeMachine Mobius Chair]].



* There was also a story where the shapeshifter turned into a fish (swimming in a river) as part of a chain of transformations to show the normal hero his power. The shapeshifter says he'll change from the fish into a mountain, but the hero says he'd be more impressed if the shapeshifter could change into a drop of water. He does, and washes away with the river.

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* There was also a story where the shapeshifter turned into a fish (swimming in a river) as part of a chain of transformations to show the normal hero his power. The shapeshifter says he'll change from the fish into a mountain, but the hero says he'd be more impressed if the shapeshifter could change into a drop of water. He does, does and washes away with the river.



* In Creator/MercedesLackey's retelling of ''Literature/PussInBoots'', ''Literature/ReservedForTheCat'', Thomas attempts to trick [[AllTrollsAreDifferent a troll]] into doing this. Unlike the ogre in the original however the troll is not an idiot, and shifts again to catch the cat by the throat when he pounces.

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* In Creator/MercedesLackey's retelling of ''Literature/PussInBoots'', ''Literature/ReservedForTheCat'', Thomas attempts to trick [[AllTrollsAreDifferent a troll]] into doing this. Unlike the ogre in the original however original, however, the troll is not an idiot, idiot and shifts again to catch the cat by the throat when he pounces.



* The ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' book "Attack Of The Mutant" had a shape-shifting villain from a comic book actually be real. Early on, we're told that if the villain turns into liquid, he can't change back. A kid claimed to be a superhero who could only be killed by acid, so the villain turns into acid, and thus is another ChekhovsGun fired.

to:

* The ''Literature/{{Goosebumps}}'' book "Attack Of The Mutant" had a shape-shifting villain from a comic book actually be real. Early on, we're told that if the villain turns into liquid, he can't change back. A kid claimed to be a superhero who could only be killed by acid, so the villain turns into acid, acid and thus is another ChekhovsGun fired.



* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': The team [[spoiler:defeats David]] by using an elaborate version of this ruse: they trick him into turning into a mouse to enter a miniature labyrinth with Rachel (by pretending that the MacGuffin he tried to blackmail out of them is there). Rachel escapes the labyrinth, [[spoiler:David stays locked inside until he enters ShapeshifterModeLock, since he wouldn't be able to demorph without being squished like a pancake]].

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* ''Literature/{{Animorphs}}'': The team [[spoiler:defeats David]] by using an elaborate version of this ruse: they trick him into turning into a mouse to enter a miniature labyrinth with Rachel (by pretending that the MacGuffin he tried to blackmail out of them is there). Rachel escapes the labyrinth, [[spoiler:David stays locked inside until he enters ShapeshifterModeLock, ShapeshifterModeLock since he wouldn't be able to demorph without being squished like a pancake]].



* In Greek mythology, Zeus realized that he had to get his mistress, Metis (goddess of prudence and magical cunning) out of the way, since it had been prophesied that she would bear powerful children, and he feared being overthrown by one of his children the way he seized power from his father Cronos and how Cronos had usurped his own father Ouranos. He suggested that they play a "game" of changing shapes, and, when she turned into a fly, he swallowed her whole. She was a pretty good sport about the whole thing, though, and from thereafter she lived inside his head, giving him good advice. She also gave birth to their daughter, Athena, who had to be delivered via skull (and so, despite Zeus' claims, he did not create Athena alone). And it turns out that Zeus's fears were unfounded because while Athena ''was'' very powerful, she was also [[DaddysGirl completely loyal and devoted to her father]].

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* In Greek mythology, Zeus realized that he had to get his mistress, Metis (goddess of prudence and magical cunning) out of the way, way since it had been prophesied that she would bear powerful children, and he feared being overthrown by one of his children the way he seized power from his father Cronos and how Cronos had usurped his own father Ouranos. He suggested that they play a "game" of changing shapes, and, when she turned into a fly, he swallowed her whole. She was a pretty good sport about the whole thing, though, and from thereafter she lived inside his head, giving him good advice. She also gave birth to their daughter, Athena, who had to be delivered via skull (and so, despite Zeus' claims, he did not create Athena alone). And it turns out that Zeus's fears were unfounded because while Athena ''was'' very powerful, she was also [[DaddysGirl completely loyal and devoted to her father]].



** In the ''Beyond Belief'' episode "Wishing Hell", Nightmares the Clown's attempts to frighten Sadie Doyle fall short because she finds clowns, even {{Monster Clown}}s, hilarious. He decides to show her his true form, that of a giant spider. Frank exclaims that Sadie is deathly afraid of spiders, only for Sadie to correct him and point out ''giant'' spiders don't scare her, only regular teeny tiny spiders due to how they can creep up on one [[TheAlcoholic when they're going through their liquor cabinet, innocently trying to collect a bottle]]. She pleads with Nightmares ''not'' to turn into a teeny tiny spider lest she ''actually'' become afraid. Nightmares does exactly that, and promptly gets stomped on by Frank.

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** In the ''Beyond Belief'' episode "Wishing Hell", Nightmares the Clown's attempts to frighten Sadie Doyle fall short because she finds clowns, even {{Monster Clown}}s, hilarious. He decides to show her his true form, that of a giant spider. Frank exclaims that Sadie is deathly afraid of spiders, only for Sadie to correct him and point out ''giant'' spiders don't scare her, only regular teeny tiny spiders due to how they can creep up on one [[TheAlcoholic when they're going through their liquor cabinet, innocently trying to collect a bottle]]. She pleads with Nightmares ''not'' to turn into a teeny tiny spider lest she ''actually'' become afraid. Nightmares does exactly that, that and promptly gets stomped on by Frank.



* In ''Theatre/TheRingOfTheNibelung'', [[TheTrickster Loge]] asks Alberich to demonstrate the Tarnhelm's powers. Alberich becomes a dragon, but Loge then asks if he can become as small as a toad. Alberich becomes a toad, and is caught by Loge and Wotan.

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* In ''Theatre/TheRingOfTheNibelung'', [[TheTrickster Loge]] asks Alberich to demonstrate the Tarnhelm's powers. Alberich becomes a dragon, but Loge then asks if he can become as small as a toad. Alberich becomes a toad, toad and is caught by Loge and Wotan.



** Porygon's Conversion move works similarly, though Conversion (which turns into a type ''strong'' against the one used) is much more difficult to exploit since there's the element of chance involved. Of course, in both cases Porygon doesn't even have to use either move, but you know, just in case...

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** Porygon's Conversion move works similarly, though Conversion (which turns into a type ''strong'' against the one used) is much more difficult to exploit since there's the element of chance involved. Of course, in both cases cases, Porygon doesn't even have to use either move, but you know, just in case...



* The same tactics are used to trick a verbal shapeshifter in ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', enabling you to use his voice mimicry to break a voice lock. Whether said shapeshifter is tricked or just doesn't care is up to discussion. Paraphrasing : "...the morality chip most droids are believed to possess forbids me from mimicking a human voice."

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* The same tactics are used to trick a verbal shapeshifter in ''VideoGame/KnightsOfTheOldRepublic'', enabling you to use his voice mimicry to break a voice lock. Whether said shapeshifter is tricked or just doesn't care is up to discussion. Paraphrasing : Paraphrasing: "...the morality chip most droids are believed to possess forbids me from mimicking a human voice."



* The "Contains One Space Battle" story in the webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Goats}}'' has Jon and Phillip meeting God after Phillip argues he doesn't exist. God appears as a pirate named Larry, and explains he can take many forms, such as a slightly taller pirate named Sebastian. The guys are unimpressed, and God tells them to pick a form. Phillip suggests a pork chop. God becomes a pork chop, then Phillip eats him, thus winning the argument. This is, incidentally, both a pivotal event behind the later plot-driven era of the comic and ''the least kosher meal ever imagined.''

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* The "Contains One Space Battle" story in the webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Goats}}'' has Jon and Phillip meeting God after Phillip argues he doesn't exist. God appears as a pirate named Larry, Larry and explains he can take many forms, such as a slightly taller pirate named Sebastian. The guys are unimpressed, and God tells them to pick a form. Phillip suggests a pork chop. God becomes a pork chop, then Phillip eats him, thus winning the argument. This is, incidentally, both a pivotal event behind the later plot-driven era of the comic and ''the least kosher meal ever imagined.''



* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/ArchiesWeirdMysteries'', Archie is able to trap a recently freed evil genie by challenging him to get ''all'' of the ketchup out of a glass bottle as proof of his power. The genie shrinks down to go inside the bottle and push out all of the ketchup just in time for Archie to close the cap on him.

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* In an episode of ''WesternAnimation/ArchiesWeirdMysteries'', Archie is able to trap a recently freed evil genie by challenging him to get ''all'' of the ketchup out of a glass bottle as proof of his power. The genie shrinks down to go inside the bottle and push pushes out all of the ketchup just in time for Archie to close the cap on him.



** The spirit was defeated hundreds of years ago by a traveler who tricked him into going back into his bottle, and then sealed him shut.
** When Alfred tries the same thing later on it almost works, but the spirit then remembers the details of how he was resealed again, and stops halfway through. Alfred only succeeds when he realizes that the Evil Spirit can be hurt by light, and forces him back in.

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** The spirit was defeated hundreds of years ago by a traveler who tricked him into going back into his bottle, bottle and then sealed him shut.
** When Alfred tries the same thing later on it almost works, but [[GenreSavvy the spirit then remembers the details of how he was resealed again, again and stops halfway through.through]]. Alfred only succeeds when he realizes that the Evil Spirit can be hurt by light, and forces him back in.



* Occurs in a second season episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretSaturdays'' when Zak and Fisk encounter a large predator cryptid that can shapeshift to adapt to its environment (becoming serpentine to move through swamps, growing armor to crash through trees, etc.). Zak is finally able to capture the beast by tricking it into chasing him into a swimming pool. The cryptid shifts into an aquatic based form as Zak climbs out the other side and [[GrandTheftMe Fisk]] closes the pool's top. Since the creature could only adapt to its present environment, it couldn't alter its body to try to escape and was effectively trapped.

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* Occurs in a second season episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheSecretSaturdays'' when Zak and Fisk encounter a large predator cryptid that can shapeshift to adapt to its environment (becoming serpentine to move through swamps, growing armor to crash through trees, etc.). Zak is finally able to capture the beast by tricking it into chasing him into a swimming pool. The cryptid shifts into an aquatic based aquatic-based form as Zak climbs out the other side and [[GrandTheftMe Fisk]] closes the pool's top. Since the creature could only adapt to its present environment, it couldn't alter its body to try to escape and was effectively trapped.

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* Sort of used in ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', where Aladdin does this to Genie to get himself out of the cave without wasting a wish. Though Genie doesn't do any shapeshifting, he does take the SchmuckBait out of sheer ego. Later, Aladdin tricks Jafar into wishing to become a genie, which immediately causes him to be sucked into a lamp. However, Jafar does need Genie to do this, so he couldn't do it all on his own. It ''did,'' however, use up Jafar's final wish and prevent him from using his powers (which the Genie had already made quite vast with a previous wish) against Aladdin; he may have been stronger as a genie, but [[ThouShaltNotKill genies are incapable of killing anyone]].

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* Sort of used in ''WesternAnimation/{{Aladdin}}'', where Aladdin does this to Genie to get himself out of the cave without wasting a wish. Though Genie doesn't do any shapeshifting, he does take the SchmuckBait out of sheer ego. Later, Aladdin tricks Jafar into wishing to become a genie, which immediately causes him to be sucked into a lamp. However, Jafar does need Genie to do this, so he couldn't do it all on his own. It ''did,'' however, use up Jafar's final wish and prevent him from using his powers (which the Genie had already made quite vast with a previous wish) against Aladdin; he may have been stronger as a genie, but [[ThouShaltNotKill genies are incapable of killing anyone]].anyone]] and are bound to the lamp that contains them.



[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
* In Greek mythology, Zeus realized that he had to get his mistress, Metis (goddess of prudence and magical cunning) out of the way, since it had been prophesied that she would bear powerful children, and he feared being overthrown by one of his children the way he seized power from his father Cronos and how Cronos had usurped his own father Ouranos. He suggested that they play a "game" of changing shapes, and, when she turned into a fly, he swallowed her whole. She was a pretty good sport about the whole thing, though, and from thereafter she lived inside his head, giving him good advice. She also gave birth to their daughter, Athena, who had to be delivered via skull (and so, despite Zeus' claims, he did not create Athena alone). And it turns out that Zeus's fears were unfounded because while Athena ''was'' very powerful, she was also [[DaddysGirl completely loyal and devoted to her father]].
[[/folder]]



[[folder:Myths & Religion]]
* In Greek mythology, Zeus realized that he had to get his mistress, Metis (goddess of prudence and magical cunning) out of the way, since it had been prophesied that she would bear powerful children, and he feared being assassinated. He suggested that they play a "game" of changing shapes, and, when she turned into a fly, he swallowed her whole. She was a pretty good sport about the whole thing, and from thereafter she lived inside his head, giving him good advice. She also gave birth to their daughter, Athena, who had to be delivered via skull (and so, despite Zeus' claims, he did not create Athena alone). And it turns out that Zeus's fears were unfounded because while Athena ''was'' very powerful, she was also [[DaddysGirl completely loyal and devoted to her father]].
[[/folder]]



* In ''Theatre/TheRingOfTheNibelung'', [[TheTrickster Loge]] asks Alberich to demonstrate the Tarnhelm's powers. Alberich becomes a Dragon, but Loge then asks if he can become as small as a toad. Alberich becomes a toad, and is caught by Loge and Wotan.

to:

* In ''Theatre/TheRingOfTheNibelung'', [[TheTrickster Loge]] asks Alberich to demonstrate the Tarnhelm's powers. Alberich becomes a Dragon, dragon, but Loge then asks if he can become as small as a toad. Alberich becomes a toad, and is caught by Loge and Wotan.



* Similar to the ''Aladdin'' example, in ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' special "WesternAnimation/RealityTrip", Danny played upon evil ringmaster Freakshow's envy of ghosts so that he'd use the all-powerful [[RealityWarper Reality Gauntlet]] to become a ghost. This ended up making him susceptible to Danny's Fenton Thermos.

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* Similar to the ''Aladdin'' example, in ''WesternAnimation/DannyPhantom'' special "WesternAnimation/RealityTrip", Danny [[FlawExploitation played upon upon]] evil ringmaster Freakshow's [[GreenEyedMonster envy of ghosts ghosts]] so that he'd use the all-powerful [[RealityWarper Reality Gauntlet]] to become a ghost. This ended up making him susceptible to Danny's Fenton Thermos.
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** This is one of the few ways to defeat theAbsorbing Man, who can duplicate most superhuman powers and just about any material substance (though he nearly always needs physical contact) -- get him to turn into something inconvenient or that is more than his powers can handle.

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** This is one of the few ways to defeat theAbsorbing the Absorbing Man, who can duplicate most superhuman powers and just about any material substance (though he nearly always needs physical contact) -- get him to turn into something inconvenient or that is more than his powers can handle.

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* In the ''Franchise/SuperMarioBros'' anime ''Anime/TheGreatMissionToSavePrincessPeach'', Peach convinces Bowser to entertain her by demonstrating his shapeshifting powers. Her last request is for him to turn into a teddy bear, and when he complies she stuffs him in a small chest. Then Bowser morphs out of the chest and back to normal, subverting whatever plan she had in mind.



* In his first battle with the Sandman, Franchise/SpiderMan feinted an attack with a power drill. The Sandman evaded it by turning into a cloud of dust, only for Spidey to jump through him and grab an industrial vacuum cleaner, then hoover up his foe.

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* ''ComicBook/TheAmazingSpiderManLeeAndDitko'': In his first battle with the Sandman, Franchise/SpiderMan feinted Spider-Man feints an attack with a power drill. The Sandman evaded evades it by turning into a cloud of dust, only for Spidey to jump through him and grab an industrial vacuum cleaner, then hoover up his foe.



* Alluded to in the "WesternAnimation/MickeyAndTheBeanstalk" sequence in ''[[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Fun and Fancy Free]]''. Mickey very nearly talks Willie the Giant into turning into a housefly; unfortunately, Willie insists on changing into a pink bunny instead, upon which he notices Mickey, Donald, and Goofy going for the giant flyswatter.
* Mexican children's film ''[[KatyLaOruga Katy Meets the Aliens]]'' has its animal heroes trick the shapeshifting [[BigBad Alien X]] into turning into a balloon so they can pop him with a pin. [[spoiler: It takes him out of action long enough for them to free his prisoners, but he eventually reforms into a [[NightmareFuel horrific]] [[OneWingedAngel monstrosity.]]]]

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* Alluded to in the "WesternAnimation/MickeyAndTheBeanstalk" sequence in ''[[Franchise/DisneyAnimatedCanon Fun ''WesternAnimation/FunAndFancyFree'' short "Mickey and Fancy Free]]''. the Beanstalk". Mickey very nearly talks Willie the Giant into turning into a housefly; unfortunately, Willie insists on changing into a pink bunny instead, upon which he notices Mickey, Donald, and Goofy going for the giant flyswatter.
flyswatter.
* Mexican children's film ''[[KatyLaOruga In ''Anime/TheGreatMissionToSavePrincessPeach'', Peach convinces Bowser to entertain her by demonstrating his shapeshifting powers. Her last request is for him to turn into a teddy bear, and when he complies, she stuffs him in a small chest. Then Bowser morphs out of the chest and back to normal, subverting whatever plan she had in mind.
* ''[[WesternAnimation/KatyLaOruga
Katy Meets the Aliens]]'' has its animal heroes trick the shapeshifting [[BigBad Alien X]] into turning into a balloon so they can pop him with a pin. [[spoiler: It [[spoiler:It takes him out of action long enough for them to free his prisoners, but he eventually reforms into a [[NightmareFuel horrific]] [[OneWingedAngel monstrosity.]]]]monstrosity]].]]



* In ''Series/{{Fantaghiro}}'' the heroine tricks the Black Witch into transforming into a crystal -- which she shatters.
* In ''Film/UnderworldAwakening'', Selene runs into a tunnel too narrow for Quint's Uber-Lycan form to enter, so he returns to human form and follows her. Although he is still rather powerful in his human form, it was enough of an opening for her to kill him.

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* In ''Series/{{Fantaghiro}}'' ''Series/{{Fantaghiro}}'', the heroine tricks the Black Witch into transforming into a crystal -- which she shatters.
* In ''Film/UnderworldAwakening'', Selene runs into a tunnel too narrow for Quint's Uber-Lycan form to enter, so he returns to human form and follows her. Although he is still rather powerful in his human form, it was enough of an opening for her to kill him.
shatters.



** ''Film/{{Ghostbusters|1984}}'' (1984): When Gozer demands that the Earth choose the shape of its destroyer, Ray immediately thinks of The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, assuming the character would be the one thing that could not possibly ever harm anyone. It's {{subverted}} when it turns out a 100 ft tall version of the character is actually very much capable of mass destruction.
** In ''Film/{{Ghostbusters|2016}}'' (2016), Rowan offers to take the form of whatever the women want for the final battle. Holtzmann tries very hard to take advantage of the situation and suggests a bullseye. Rowan instead becomes a gigantic version of the Ghostbusters' logo ghost, which they had thought was a safe option.

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** ''Film/{{Ghostbusters|1984}}'' (1984): When In ''Film/Ghostbusters1984'', when Gozer demands that the Earth choose the shape of its destroyer, Ray immediately thinks of The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, assuming the character would be the one thing that could not possibly ever harm anyone. It's {{subverted}} when it turns out a 100 ft tall version of the character is actually very much capable of mass destruction.
** In ''Film/{{Ghostbusters|2016}}'' (2016), ''Film/Ghostbusters2016'', Rowan offers to take the form of whatever the women want for the final battle. Holtzmann tries very hard to take advantage of the situation and suggests a bullseye. Rowan instead becomes a gigantic version of the Ghostbusters' logo ghost, which they had thought was a safe option.option.
* In ''[[Film/Underworld2003 Underworld: Awakening]]'', Selene runs into a tunnel too narrow for Quint's Uber-Lycan form to enter, so he returns to human form and follows her. Although he is still rather powerful in his human form, it was enough of an opening for her to kill him.

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The Fullmetal Alchemist example is Bluff The Imposter, not this trope.


* Played with in ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemistBrotherhood'' when Riza tricks a disguised Envy to reveal themselves when she claims that Colonel Mustang refers to her by her first name instead of Hawkeye. Despite that though she fails to outright kill them as they’re a Homunculus and can regenerate. Luckily though Mustang arrives and deals a deadlier blow.
* The ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime actually subverts this with the Orange Islands match against Drake. His first Pokemon is Ditto, and when it's suggested to Ash to switch out Pikachu after Ditto changes into him, he says Ditto would just transform into the next one sent out.

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* Played with in ''Anime/FullmetalAlchemistBrotherhood'' when Riza tricks a disguised Envy to reveal themselves when she claims that Colonel Mustang refers to her by her first name instead of Hawkeye. Despite that though she fails to outright kill them as they’re a Homunculus and can regenerate. Luckily though Mustang arrives and deals a deadlier blow.
* The ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime
''Anime/PokemonTheSeries'' actually subverts this with the Orange Islands match against Drake. His first Pokemon Pokémon is Ditto, and when it's suggested to Ash to switch out Pikachu after Ditto changes into him, he says Ditto would just transform into the next one sent out.



* Shows up in ''ComicBook/TheSandman'', with LampshadeHanging, during the sequence where Lyta is hallucinating and/or shifting between seeing the real world and the Dreaming.
* In a ''Mighty Mouse'' comic book, there's a story called "The Bad Genie". The genie, a [[CatsAreMean cat of course]], is a CardCarryingVillain who forces the mouse who freed him to serve him, and also pushes aside some houses so he can stretch out. After brute force, Mighty Mouse tries the "bet you can't fit in your lamp again" gambit, but he's too tired to argue...
* In an issue of ''ComicBook/{{JLA}}'', Batman uses this tactic against the all-powerful Metron. Metron prides himself on his knowledge and has never been a human, so Batman convinces him to take on a flesh and blood form to see what it's like. Then Batman punches him in the face, drugs him and steals his [[TimeMachine Mobius Chair]].
* This is one of the few ways to defeat the [[MarvelUniverse Absorbing Man]], who can duplicate most superhuman powers and just about any material substance (though he nearly always needs physical contact) -- get him to turn into something inconvenient or that is more than his powers can handle.

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* Shows up in ''ComicBook/TheSandman'', ''ComicBook/TheSandman1989'', with LampshadeHanging, during the sequence where Lyta is hallucinating and/or shifting between seeing the real world and the Dreaming.
* In a ''Mighty Mouse'' ''WesternAnimation/MightyMouse'' comic book, there's a story called "The Bad Genie". The genie, a [[CatsAreMean cat of course]], is a CardCarryingVillain who forces the mouse who freed him to serve him, and also pushes aside some houses so he can stretch out. After brute force, Mighty Mouse tries the "bet you can't fit in your lamp again" gambit, but he's too tired to argue...
* In an issue of ''ComicBook/{{JLA}}'', ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica'', Batman uses this tactic against the all-powerful Metron. Metron prides himself on his knowledge and has never been a human, so Batman convinces him to take on a flesh and blood form to see what it's like. Then Batman punches him in the face, drugs him and steals his [[TimeMachine Mobius Chair]].
* ''Franchise/MarvelUniverse'':
**
This is one of the few ways to defeat the [[MarvelUniverse Absorbing Man]], theAbsorbing Man, who can duplicate most superhuman powers and just about any material substance (though he nearly always needs physical contact) -- get him to turn into something inconvenient or that is more than his powers can handle.



* In the 1994 Milestone/DC crossover ''Worlds Collide'', some children try to goad EldritchAbomination RealityWarper Rift into transforming to a smaller, less powerful shape. He's just amused and commends them for trying, since he admits the ploy might have worked if he'd fallen for it.

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* In the 1994 Milestone/DC Creator/{{Milestone|Comics}}[=/=]Creator/{{DC|Comics}} crossover ''Worlds Collide'', some children try to goad EldritchAbomination RealityWarper Rift into transforming to a smaller, less powerful shape. He's just amused and commends them for trying, since he admits the ploy might have worked if he'd fallen for it.



* Wembley gets rid of the Mean Genie this way on ''Series/FraggleRock.''
* Lampshaded in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''. A little girl tells the real shapechanger Odo a old fairy story about a hero named the Great Minra who tricked an evil changeling into turning himself into a loaf of bread. To her surprise Odo gets to the end first ("The Great Minra gobbled him up"), and when she asks how he knew Odo wearily points out that the fictional changeling wasn't very smart.
** And when the girl asks Odo to turn a loaf of bread, he asks; "Why? So you can gobble me up? I don't think so."

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* Wembley gets rid of the Mean Genie this way on ''Series/FraggleRock.''
in ''Series/FraggleRock''.
* ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine'':
**
Lampshaded in ''Series/StarTrekDeepSpaceNine''. the episode "[[Recap/StarTrekDeepSpaceNineS02E16Shadowplay Shadowplay]]". A little girl tells the real shapechanger Odo a an old fairy story about a hero named the Great Minra who tricked an evil changeling into turning himself into a loaf of bread. To her surprise Odo gets to the end first ("The Great Minra gobbled him up"), and when she asks how he knew Odo wearily points out that the fictional changeling wasn't very smart.
**
smart. And when the girl asks Odo to turn a loaf of bread, he asks; "Why? So you can gobble me up? I don't think so."
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* In ''Series/{Fantaghiro}}'' the heroine tricks the Black Witch into transforming into a crystal -- which she shatters.

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* In ''Series/{Fantaghiro}}'' ''Series/{{Fantaghiro}}'' the heroine tricks the Black Witch into transforming into a crystal -- which she shatters.
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* In ''Film/{{Fantagiro}}'' the heroine tricks the Black Witch into transforming into a crystal -- which she shatters.

to:

* In ''Film/{{Fantagiro}}'' ''Series/{Fantaghiro}}'' the heroine tricks the Black Witch into transforming into a crystal -- which she shatters.

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