ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jump the shark

idiom
Meaning

Of television program or other narrative, to undergo a storyline development which heralds a fundamental and generally disappointing change in direction.


Origin

first recorded 20th c.

From Hollywood (Part 3), an episode in 1977 during the fifth season of the American television series Happy Days, in which the character Fonzie jumped over a shark on waterskis. The expression argues that it was at this point that the show bore no similarity to its original form.

Examples
SIMPLE

That show jumped the shark when they added the new character.

CONTEXTUAL

Many fans believe the series jumped the shark during the fifth season when the plot became too unrealistic.

COMPLEX

While the sitcom was once a cultural phenomenon, critics argue it jumped the shark the moment the writers introduced a supernatural twist to the grounded storyline.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    go jump in the lake

    Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.

  2. 02

    go jump off a building

    Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.

  3. 03

    go jump off a cliff

    Used to tell someone to go away, or that their request will not be met.

  4. 04

    jump at

    To accept something enthusiastically. Usually an opportunity, or chance, or job etc.

  5. 05

    jump at the chance

    To immediately accept an offer; to seize an opportunity.

  6. 06

    jump at the opportunity

    To immediately seize a particular opportunity.

  7. 07

    jump before one is pushed

    to perform an action before being forced to do so.

  8. 08

    jump down someone's throat

    To criticise with excessive and unexpected harshness.

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