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Introduction

An expression for when you make spontaneous life decisions for your own entertainment and others'. Learn how to use it here.

Transcript

Feifei
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them, too! I'm Feifei, and I'm joined by Georgie. How are you, Georgie?

Georgie
I'm very well, thank you, Feifei. How are you?

Feifei
I'm very well. Now, Georgie, I came across an expression on the internet and I wasn't entirely sure what it meant. I wonder if you can help me.

Georgie
Sure! What is it?

Feifei
Well, it was a video of a woman debating whether to quit her job to go travelling around South America. At the end, she said she might just do it for the plot.

Georgie
OK, do it for the plot. This is quite a new internet expression. It means making a choice, often quite a bold, chaotic or unexpected choice, to do something that will make life more exciting or interesting, like your life is a film.

Feife
Ah OK. So that's where 'plot' comes in. It's about seeing yourself as the writer, producer, director and star of the film that is your life. Maybe you want to give the people around you something to talk about.

Georgie
Exactly! You can use it to talk about your own life, for example, I once ran into the sea fully clothed in winter with my friend – it was freezing but we did it for the plot. But you can also use it to encourage other people, 'Go on, do it for the plot!' Let's hear more examples.

Examples
No – I've decided – I'm dying my hair green. Don't look at me like that! I'm, I'm doing it for the plot.

I was at a comedy night, and my friend suddenly stood up and started telling jokes! She just did it for the plot.

I don't like heights, so I didn't want to do a bungee jump, but my friends told me to do it for the plot.

Georgie
Now, this expression comes from the internet and it's very informal. It's most commonly used between friends, either encouraging each other to make spontaneous decisions, or using it as an excuse to make spontaneous decisions.

Feifei
Now, you've got me thinking. I've never been surfing, but I might just join a surf club and give you all something to talk about.

Georgie
Go on Feifei – do it for the plot! OK, let's recap. We learnt 'do it for the plot', which means to do something a little wild and spontaneous to make life more exciting.

Feifei
Thank you for joining us. Bye!

Georgie
Goodbye.

The English We Speak dhihoo kanaa

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