“Jump the Shark” | What Does this Idiomatic Expression Mean?

Have you ever heard someone use the term ‘jump the shark’ in a conversation? If you have, you may have thought about what the saying means or where it comes from. We are going to look at these things as well as take a look at how the phrase can be used in a cay to cay conversation.

Jump the Shark

“Jump the Shark” Meaning

The meaning of the term ‘jump the shark’ is referring to a popular form of media, for example, a TV Show starting its decline which was inevitable.

Origin of this idiom

The term ‘jump the shark’ is quite a new saying and was originally used in the 1970s to talk about the successful TV show, Happy days.

“Jump the Shark” Examples

Examples in Statements

Here is a statement made by a TV reviewer

  • ‘The show has really begun to jump the shark causing a loss in ratings.’

This is a statement made by a friend to another friend.

  • ‘I was really enjoying watching that show but it is starting to jump the shark now.’

Conversation Examples

The term ‘jump the shark’ may be seen in a variety of different conversations, here are some examples of when it might be heard.

The first conversation is between two friends.

  • Person 1: “Have you still been watching The walking dead?”
  • Person 2: “Yes, I am really enjoying it.”
  • Person 1: “Oh no, I feel like it is starting to jump the shark.”

This conversation is between two people who work at a TV company.

  • Person 1: “I think we should run this show for another three seasons.”
  • Person 2: “No, definitely now”
  • Person 1: “Why not?”
  • Person 2: “It has started to jump the shark.”

Other Ways to Say “Jump the Shark”

There are other ways you might express the meaning of the term ‘jump the shark.’

Here are some examples of other things you could say that would carry the same meaning as the term.

  • Start to go downhill
  • Lose its flavor
  • Lose interest

“Jump the Shark” Meaning | Image

Jump the Shark

 

Latest posts by Liam Daniel (see all)