Not the...
Declining⏳OutdatedDefinition
Used to express shocked disapproval or amused disbelief. 'Not the AUDACITY' = 'I can't believe they had the audacity.' The emphasis is on theatrical shock.
Translation for Parents
It's a way to express exaggerated disbelief. 'Not the teacher giving homework on a Friday!' = 'I cannot BELIEVE the teacher gave homework on a Friday.' It's pearl-clutching for the internet age. You probably already do a version of this without realizing it.
Examples
“Not the crusty shoes 💀”
“I can't believe they wore those worn-out shoes”
“Not her posting that on main”
“I can't believe she posted that on her public account”
Cringe Score
Your kid will cringe
This one peaked a while ago but remains useful for expressing dramatic shock. 'Not the dishes still in the sink...' is acceptable parent usage.
Category
reaction
Peak
2021-01
Last Verified
2026-02-25
Sources
tiktok, reddit