# What is the most commonly used phrase in English that came from a movie? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** movies\ **Created:** [December 2, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068 "2024-12-02T16:37:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/1 "2024-12-02T16:37:29Z")
We’ve got a thread going on about movie lines people use in everyday conversation. What would be THE most commonly used movie line in English? My rules: 1. It has to be essentially original to a movie script. No fair using a Shakepearian or Biblical phrase. They’ve all been said in movies, and one of those would win easily. 2. It has to be a line, not just one word. 3. I’m looking for phrases used as part of language, not merely quoted because it’s fun. “No, I am your father” is rarely used as a part of conversation or a metaphor. It’s usually just because you are actually quoting the Empire Strikes Back. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/2 "2024-12-02T16:44:44Z")
“We’re not in Kansas anymore” (from The Wizard of Oz) is somewhat common in any situation where things go off plan. “I’ll be back” (Arnie’s catchphrase) also seems to get used in earnest quite a bit (I mean, people realise they are quoting him and often make some attempt at the voice, but they use it in situations where they are stepping away for a moment. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/3 "2024-12-02T16:50:51Z")
“We’re going to need a bigger […]”. Started out as boat, but I’ve heard it used in other circumstances. ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/4 "2024-12-02T16:54:58Z")
“That’ll be the day.” (The Searchers) was the first that sprang to mind for me. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/5 "2024-12-02T16:55:19Z")
Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn? ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/6 "2024-12-02T17:05:57Z")
It’s tricky, because all the ones I can think of are used at least in part as nods to the movie; if you say them, you’re also quoting. But here’s what I can think of: - Go ahead: make my day. - I’m gonna make you an offer you can’t refuse. - I’m the king of the world! - We don’t need no stinking badges! - Forget it Jake–it’s Chinatown. ---
**Author:** ![anny\_m](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/96bed5/32.png) [@anny\_m](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anny_m)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/7 "2024-12-02T17:06:19Z")
"It could be worse. It could be raining.: ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/8 "2024-12-02T17:08:11Z")
Ooh! [This article](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/best-movie-quotes-hollywoods-top-867142/thatll-do-pig-thatll-do/) has some good ones, including a possible winner (a line that didn’t appear anywhere in the books): - Elementary, my dear Watson! And I dunno about other families, but in ours, there’s a very specific movie line we say if we eat a particularly tasty bit of pork. Edit: and another possible winner from that list: - Keep your friends close, but your enemies closer. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/9 "2024-12-02T17:24:25Z")
Not sure I’d argue that it’s literally the most commonly used, but the first thing that came to mind for me was “I’m not even supposed to be here today.” ETA: Or maybe “Say hello to my little friend.” ---
**Author:** ![The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_wind_of_my_soul)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/10 "2024-12-02T17:30:24Z")
Not sure if this is what you had in mind, but your OP makes me think of the phrase “bucket list.” When the movie “The Bucket List” came out in 2007, that wasn’t a phrase I’ve ever heard anyone use, but after the movie, it became a commonly understood phrase. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/11 "2024-12-02T17:31:26Z")
Can I just slip in a TV script line? “That’s what she said!” ---
**Author:** ![veryfrank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/87869e/32.png) [@veryfrank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/veryfrank)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/12 "2024-12-02T17:34:35Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > Not sure if this is what you had in mind, but your OP makes me think of the phrase “bucket list.” When the movie “The Bucket List” came out in 2007, that wasn’t a phrase I’ve ever heard anyone use, but after the movie, it became a commonly understood phrase. Absolutely. Completely new phrase to me when the movie came out, and I use it all the time. In _Easy A_, Stanly Tucci has a great line delivery when he talks about how now that they’ve seen the movie _The Bucket List_, they can cross it off their bucket list. ---
**Author:** ![dirtball](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dirtball/32/18772_2.png) [@dirtball](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dirtball)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/13 "2024-12-02T17:36:58Z")
Turn it up to eleven. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/14 "2024-12-02T17:37:22Z")
How about “Nobody’s perfect” from _Some Like It Hot_? Although perhaps that was in use beforehand. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/15 "2024-12-02T17:49:11Z")
_ **Here’s looking at you, kid.** _ Or was that a thing before Casablanca? j ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/16 "2024-12-02T17:59:02Z")
> [@The\_wind\_of\_my\_soul](#): > > Not sure if this is what you had in mind, but your OP makes me think of the phrase “bucket list.” When the movie “The Bucket List” came out in 2007, that wasn’t a phrase I’ve ever heard anyone use, but after the movie, it became a commonly understood phrase. Ignore everything I said–this seems like the obvious winner to me. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/17 "2024-12-02T18:03:05Z")
That term certainly shot up a lot on NGrams after the movie came out. ---
**Author:** ![burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/burpo_the_wonder_mutt/32/365_2.png) [@burpo\_the\_wonder\_mutt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/burpo_the_wonder_mutt)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/18 "2024-12-02T18:03:39Z")
Let’s get out of here! ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/19 "2024-12-02T18:07:23Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Elementary, my dear Watson! Damn, that may be a winner. Some excellent ones so far though. The reference to :“bucket list” might be another contender. Like @The_wind_of_my_soul I had never heard that term before the movie. It is also a strong contender for “most memorable line or phrase from an otherwise forgettable movie.” > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > Can I just slip in a TV script line? > > “That’s what she said!” Sure we can open this up to TV lines, but that phrase appears in print before it did on TV. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2024, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068/20 "2024-12-02T18:35:47Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The reference to :“bucket list” might be another contender. Like @The_wind_of_my_soul I had never heard that term before the movie. It is also a strong contender for “most memorable line or phrase from an otherwise forgettable movie.” This one is remarkable because when people quote it, they may be entirely unaware that they’re quoting anything. That movie isn’t so much _forgettable_ as _forgotten_. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-most-commonly-used-phrase-in-english-that-came-from-a-movie/1011068.md?page=2)