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.
1 28Double-Edged Buff (Launching 9/24 if no one else is launching)
A status effect or a power-up that temporarily enhances the target in one aspect in exchange for hindering them in another. Image Crowner
Created: Aug 29th 2023 at 7:47:53 PM
8 80Feigned Trope
Character deceives another into believing a trope is in effect, or has occurred. [A new Trope Trope / Playing With A Trope item.] (Grabbed by Star Sword)
Created: Aug 23rd 2020 at 10:18:43 AM
2 32Exempt From Physics
A character's actions do not conform to the physics of their world.
Created: Dec 7th 2012 at 1:19:14 PM
4 79Smart, Dumb, and In-Between (Adopted by IkeaHan)
The Smart Guy, The Ditz, and the person who is just average intellectually.
Created: Apr 19th 2022 at 6:23:37 AM
5 61The "One Job!" Mistake
Some jobs just can't be trusted to certain people.
Created: Feb 9th 2015 at 1:11:34 PM
8 84Instantly Dated (Adopted by ImperialMajestyXO)
Real Life undercuts a plot point before a work is released
Created: Apr 10th 2019 at 4:24:59 AM
10 68Massive Numbered Offspring
A character has a large number of children. (launch postponed because of ongoing debate over scope)
Created: Aug 22nd 2019 at 2:42:43 PM
1 34Lying By Omission [Launching 9/26 if no objections] (Previously "Half Truth", now with title crowner. Adopted by AuraGuardian, lacking image)
When prompted for information, a character replies with something unambiguously true, but incomplete in a way intended to cause the statement be misunderstood.
Created: Jun 22nd 2013 at 11:00:00 AM
2 26Abusive Monster Metaphor (Adopted by Cutegirl920fire)
A character is forced to live with a monster in an allegory for toxic relationships
Created: Jul 24th 2022 at 2:49:56 PM
0 72Outlived The Premise
A series outlasts its original premise.
Created: Jan 8th 2016 at 4:59:06 AM
7 48Abrahamic God Archetype
A character modeled after the Abrahamic God.
Created: Nov 7th 2020 at 1:19:58 PM
5 36Deep Freeze Death
A character is killed by their body being completely frozen. Title Crowner
Created: Mar 21st 2017 at 7:43:29 AM
1 51Afraid Of Clowns
A character has a fear of clowns, frequently for the sake of irony.
Created: Jan 10th 2012 at 8:11:37 PM
24 40Gender-Nonconforming Equals Gay (grabbed by harrietvanger; see discussion in comments)
Deviation from gender roles is stereotyped as a sign of homosexuality.
Created: Mar 22nd 2020 at 12:35:04 AM
11 28Poor Pay Poor Effort
Employees who are (or believe they are) paid poorly are not motivated to do their jobs properly. (Tentatively adopted by Sky Cat 32, in need of cleanup.)
Created: Aug 3rd 2022 at 6:42:48 AM
4 38Last Level, New Rules
The final level of a video game discards or alters some of the core gameplay mechanics to signal a raise in the stakes.
Created: Aug 11th 2013 at 3:18:41 PM
3 33Used To Be Enemies (Adopted by AudioSpeaks2)
Two former enemies are now close allies. (Needs a better title)
Created: Nov 7th 2012 at 10:17:18 PM
24 34Queer Since Childhood
An LGBTQ+ character shows Early Personality Signs.
Created: Mar 18th 2011 at 12:04:16 AM
0 31(No Heal Like) Overheal (To Be Renamed) (Up For Grabs)
A game mechanic that lets the player temporarily increase or bypass the normal cap on their Stat Meters.
Created: May 18th 2019 at 12:27:25 AM
A game mechanic that lets the player temporarily increase or bypass the normal cap on their Stat Meters.
Sponsor: 4tell0life4 Created: May 18th 2019 at 12:27:25 AM Last reply: Sep 9th 2023 at 5:05:49 PM by FSharp View draftLooking for a discussion you thought was here? One of two things could have happened.
It could have been launched or "discarded". Check here. Discarded just means that someone thought it had come to a resolution not needing a launch. It can be restored. Just push the "restore" button on the Launches list.
You thought you had written it up or read it here, but it was all just a dream or an elaborate daylight fantasy. Don't feel bad. It happens to us all.
32 42Assumed Trope (Up for Grabs) (needs more examples)
A new Playing With A Trope entry for when a character mistakenly thinks (without being deceived) that a trope is happening. CROWNER
Created: Jun 8th 2021 at 12:57:07 AM