for the plot

English

Etymology 1

All senses originate from the phrase sense. Coined as an inspirational phrase by actress and media personality Serena Kerrigan in a video posted to the social media video-sharing service TikTok on 23 July 2021, in which she alluded to every person being the main character of their own storyline: “If something works out, great, and if it doesn't, it's for the plot”. By this, she meant that negative events and obstacles are inevitable in one's life in order to advance “the plot” onto the next plot point (presumably a more positive one) in their life.

Phrase

for the plot

1. (Internet slang, idiomatic) Everything happens for a reason.

Prepositional phrase

for the plot

1. (Internet slang, idiomatic) Suggests doing something adventurous or risky just for the sake of it.
   1. Used to dare someone to do something; take a risk; take a chance.

See also

• for the hell of it
• YOLO

Etymology 2

Originates from a sarcastic Internet meme from c.2011 in which users assert they watch something “for the plot”; often a video or image macro of a risqué or otherwise questionable scene from a work of fiction (originally especially of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic) accompanied with the text “I watch it for the plot” or “I watch [name of the work of fiction] for the plot”.

Phrase

for the plot

1. (slang, humorous) Used to suggest that someone is viewing or reading a piece of media (generally fiction) for reasons other than the storyline, usually because of its visual or sexual appeal.

Derived terms

• plot (“sex appeal; assets”)

Etymology 3

Phrase

for the plot

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see for,‎ the,‎ plot.