this is where we came in
Said of a situation which has become repetitive.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We are arguing about the same thing again; this is where we came in.”
“After listening to the committee repeat the same complaints for an hour, I realized this is where we came in.”
“As the debate circled back to the exact same points raised at the start of the session, the chairman sighed, noting that this is where we came in.”
The phrase originated in the early cinema, during an era when film programmes ran on a continuous loop rather than at scheduled showtimes. Patrons entered the theatre at their convenience, regardless of whether a feature had already commenced. Upon reaching the point in the repeating bill where they had first sat down, they would announce to their companions that this was where they came in, before departing the premises.
The practice relied upon the audience's willingness to watch the conclusion of a narrative before seeing its beginning. It remained a standard habit of the cinema-going public until the mid-20th century, when fixed screenings became the preferred method for managing the flow of spectators.
- 01
appetite comes with eating
Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.
- 02
as they come
As it is possible to be.
- 03
blow to kingdom come
To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).
- 04
burn that bridge when one comes to it
To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.
- 05
Christmas come early
Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.
- 06
come a cropper
To suffer some accident or misfortune; to fail.
- 07
come a long way
To make significant progress.
- 08
come again
A polite formula used when one has not heard or understood what has been said, or to indicate surprise.
Last updated August 10, 2026