jump the shark
The phrase originated from an episode of the TV show "Happy Days," where the character Fonzie jumps over a shark, symbolizing the show's decline in quality.
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Definition
C1Television
(idiomatic)To reach a point where a TV show begins to decline in quality, often marked by a specific, absurd event.
Example
- Many fans believe the series jumped the shark when the main character was replaced.
C1General
(idiomatic)To experience a noticeable decline in quality, appeal, or relevance.
Example
- The brand jumped the shark when they started releasing overly gimmicky products.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "jump the shark":