don't drop the soap
Used as a mockery to someone who is about to be or should be confined in prison.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Don't drop the soap if you end up in jail.”
“He warns his rival not to drop the soap before the trial begins.”
“You better not drop the soap while you are locked up.”
“His friends joked that he should watch his back and don't drop the soap once he starts his prison sentence.”
“The bully laughed and told the man who was facing charges to make sure he doesn't drop the soap during his first night in the cell.”
“After the judge announced the guilty verdict, someone in the back of the courtroom whispered that the defendant shouldn't drop the soap.”
“The guards ignored the taunts from the other inmates, who shouted warnings to the new prisoner to don't drop the soap.”
Originating from the hazard posed by exposing one's buttocks while bending over in a male communal shower, the expression refers specifically to the threat of prison rape. The phrase functions as a cautionary directive against placing oneself in a vulnerable physical position within a carceral environment.
- 01
a short drop and a sudden stop
A fall to one's death by hanging.
- 02
and I don't mean maybe
Indicating that one is serious and not joking about a matter.
- 03
Bob Hope
[Cockney slang]soap
- 04
don't call me sir, I work for a living
Used by senior enlisted military personnel to indicate that they are not commissioned officers.
- 05
don't call us, we'll call you
A stereotypical statement from a hiring organization to a potential candidate, suggesting that the candidate will not be hired.
- 06
don't get someone started
Used to attempt to avoid or abbreviate a discussion that speaker or hearer may wish to avoid.
- 07
don't give up your day job
Somewhat sarcastic but usually good-natured advice used to criticise a person's degree of talent (especially in music or other performing arts), implying that they are unlikely to be successful.
- 08
don't go there
Do not broach that topic.
Last updated August 10, 2026