FAMOUS MOVIE LINES
Eleven Movie Quotes to Get You Through Any Conversation
Looking for the perfect response in any situation? Hollywood has you covered
Small talk, chit-chat, idle conversation. It can be exhausting to fill the silence with witty repartee. And there is a thin line between pithy and snarky — and if you cross it, the conversation often ends and someone walks away wondering why they wanted to talk with you in the first place. If you need a little help to live in that chatty space, that razor’s edge between a laugh and a glare, this list is for you.
1. You’re gonna to need a bigger boat. (Jaws, 1975)
Usage: Offer this as advice ironically when the solution to your problem is obvious.
2. Everything is awesome. (The Lego Movie, 2014)
Usage: When asked how you are, use this to confirm you are slowly dying inside.
3. Doctor? Doctor. Doctor? Doctor. Doctor. (Spies Like Us, 1985)
Usage: Rather than give your own name (again), use when you meet someone you’ve met before when your host continues with the instructions anyway.
4. Open the pod bay doors, Hal. (2001: A Space Odyssey, 1968)
Usage: When the technology isn’t working, this should be spoken directly to the device. Use only after suggesting someone turn it off and then on again.
5. On Wednesdays, we wear pink. (Mean Girls, 2004)
Usage: Tilt your head to show off your best side as you say this when someone is a little too judgmental.
6. Bad dates. (Raiders of the Lost Ark, 1981)
Usage: Use sparingly to identify the cause of not the problem you are discussing but to highlight an equally important adjacent problem.
7. What’s in the box? (Seven, 1995)
Usage: Utter as a small and pitiful wail when you already know you won’t like the answer.
8. Sweep the leg (The Karate Kid, 1984)
Usage: This comment comes with a catch — suggest it when someone needs to play dirty but understands that doing so will ultimately result in a loss.
9. Swing away, Merrill. (Signs, 2002)
Usage: A more hopeful option than sweeping the leg, use when you support taking a chance, especially if the odds are against them.
10. Goonies never say die. (The Goonies, 1985)
Usage: A timeless rallying call that can be used when you need a pep talk; be prepared, however, for a potential rebuttal of But I’m not a Goonie.
11. Argo f — yourself. (Argo, 2012)
Usage: A quick non-responsive response can move a conversation along or wrap it up — use it to change the topic, get a laugh, or deflect an unwanted overture.
Try one of these phrases today. They work great at parties but are equally applicable to Starbucks runs, over-the-cubicle-wall banter, 3 PM elementary school pick-up, and tapas & drinks. Bonus twelfth quote from the 2004 film Anchorman (a.k.a the perfect sign-off), You Stay Classy, Medium!
