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The TVTropes Trope Finder is where you can come to ask questions like "Do we have this one?" and "What's the trope about...?" Trying to rediscover a long lost show or other medium but need a little help? Head to Media Finder and try your luck there. Want to propose a new trope? You should be over at the Trope Launch Pad.

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KD Since: May, 2009
2025-04-17 11:42:31

Sounds like every single episode of House.

The two most relevant tropes there would seem to be:

Dark Secret — They're usually lying to cover up something embarrassing, like an unusual international trip, or that their company is not prestigious, or that they're breaking their religion's rules, or that they have an off-the-books job.

Idiot Ball — The fact that they could have a potentially fatal illness and yet are putting petty dignity above their own health, that they'd rather die than admit to a doctor that they own a junkyard.

Someone1981 Since: Aug, 2022
2025-04-17 17:12:21

Dark Secret covers the secret itself, not the fact that the lie prevents proper diagnosis. And the lies usually are disconnected enough from the symptoms that I can't call it Idiot Ball, although there are a few exceptions.

Veanne Since: Jul, 2012
2025-04-17 22:10:25

May be too specific - this is the gimmick of House and if appeared in another work, it would probably be taken as Shout-Out

Chabal2 Since: Jan, 2010
2025-04-17 22:59:41

Shameful Source of Knowledge? In that they know what they did wrong but are ashamed of the truth.

Veanne Since: Jul, 2012
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