jumping the shark
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A creative work, an idea or entity reaching a point in which it has exhausted its core intent and is introducing new ideas that are discordant with its original purpose.
Where it’s used:
Used
Widespread English
Sources & notes
Imported from Wikipedia “English-language idioms” (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29), pending review.
Common questions
What does “jumping the shark” mean?
A creative work, an idea or entity reaching a point in which it has exhausted its core intent and is introducing new ideas that are discordant with its original purpose.
Is “jumping the shark” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.