You have a trope that you have seen a million times. It just needs a snappy name. Discuss it here! This is also a good place to call for examples.
How this works: Cruise through the list looking for a title or synopsis (which we call the 'laconic version') that might interest you. View the draft description with attached discussion, then give the sponsor your feedback and maybe an example or two of where you have seen the trope in media.
Have an awesome idea but think it might already exist? Check the Trope Finder or explore the TV Trope indexes to see whether another troper beat you to the punch.
Please see the TLP Guidelines for the full etiquette of TLP.
3 30Can Do Can't Teach (Grabbed By WhirlRX)
Someone who is naturally gifted in a certain skill or field is terrible at teaching said skill or field to other people.
Created: 2021-02-11 16:50:24
6 30Professional's Combat Knife
A combat knife/dagger used by fighters with cool and calm heads. (Deadline dropped, reworking the description and examples)
Created: 2022-03-28 00:29:21
3 30Inconsistent Pronunciation (adopted by Snowsky)
A name is pronounced differently at different times in a work.
Created: 2022-01-08 13:30:13
4 30Eerie Moon In Bare Branches (examples needed)
The visual of the moon framed by bare tree branches as a portent of danger
Created: 2022-04-29 22:15:26
38 30Trivia / Cis Character Trans Actor (up for grabs)
A cis character is played by a Transgender / nonbinary (of the "they/them" variant) performer.
Created: 2023-06-19 12:14:56
2 30Abandoned Holy Building (Up for Grabs)
An old, abandoned place of worship.
Created: 2023-05-17 18:39:59
2 30Post-War Prejudice
Anger and hatred remains even after both sides are not fighting anymore. (grabbed by Star Sword)
Created: 2022-04-02 16:56:45
2 29Witnessing Yourself Die
A character witnesses themselves die.
Created: 2021-03-14 10:30:59
1 29Cycle Of Virtue
One act of kindness and happiness cascades, promoting more kindness happiness in others. [Adopted by EvilerThanThou]
Created: 2021-10-21 09:37:39
0 29Swindling The Natives
Making a dishonest bargain with natives, under the assumption that they don't know economics or contract law.
Created: 2025-04-09 14:11:16
8 29Does Not Like Dogs
A character hates and/or fears dogs as a part of their characterization.
Created: 2025-03-03 06:17:22
1 29Gifted Hero, Self-Made Villain (Up For Grabs)
When heroes have acquired their abilities quickly while villains built themselves up slowly.
Created: 2014-07-11 16:19:20
1 29Technically Dead
A character lacks something that the story requires to be considered a living being.
Created: 2014-02-05 06:18:32
6 29Alternating Scream Cut (Up for Grabs; Requires Cleanup)
People start screaming and it cuts back and forth between them, often for comedic effect.
Created: 2016-03-30 18:28:17
1 29Video Game Caring Reward
A game rewards you for being nice.
Created: 2016-11-13 07:17:40
1 29Pair The Sidekicks
A romantic couple consisting of the two sidekicks in a trio or squad of main characters.
Created: 2019-04-03 12:05:52
13 29Representation Backlash [YMMV]
A character of a specific group is disliked by members of said group
Created: 2019-01-08 17:50:04
3 28Future Humans
The next evolution of mankind, Twenty Minutes Into The Future.
Created: 2017-01-19 13:46:26
The next evolution of mankind, Twenty Minutes Into The Future.
Sponsor: Generality Created: 2017-01-19 13:46:26 Last reply: 2025-02-20 17:59:47 by Bk-notburgerking View draft

15 30Double Standard: Guy On Guy
Gay male sex/affection seen as terrible and disgusting, two women however...hot!
Created: 2022-06-10 21:42:14