have seen this movie: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘have seen this movie’ mean?

The idiom "have seen this movie" means to be very familiar with a situation or scenario, often implying that it is repetitive, predictable, or uninteresting.

Idiom Explorer

Decoding Familiar Cinematic Experiences

The idiom "have seen this movie" is similar to the idioms "been there, done that" and "have been around." All three expressions convey a sense of familiarity and experience in dealing with a particular situation or event. Whether it's encountering a repetitive scenario, participating in a common experience, or navigating through familiar territory, these idioms all share a common thread of having previous knowledge or understanding.

When someone says "have seen this movie," they are essentially saying "I've been there, done that." It's an acknowledgment that they have already experienced a similar situation or event and know what to expect. This sense of having "seen the movie" or "done that" can be empowering, as it suggests a level of expertise or mastery in dealing with the situation.

I have already seen that movie.

Similarly, when someone says "have been around," they are also expressing that they have encountered similar experiences or situations before. This phrase implies a breadth of experience and a sense of having seen a variety of scenarios. It can also suggest a level of wisdom or knowledge gained from navigating through different circumstances.

These idioms can be used in a variety of situations. For example, if someone is faced with a repetitive task or a familiar challenge, they might say "I've seen this movie before" to indicate that they are familiar with it and know how to handle it. Similarly, if someone is discussing a common experience or event, they might say "been there, done that" or "I've been around" to convey that they have already participated in or witnessed something similar.

It's worth noting that these idioms, including "have seen this movie," "been there, done that," and "have been around," are informal expressions and are best suited for casual conversations or informal writing. They add a touch of familiarity and informality to the communication, creating a sense of camaraderie or shared experience.

The idiom "have seen this movie" is closely related to the idioms "been there, done that" and "have been around." They all convey a sense of familiarity and experience in dealing with a particular situation or event. These idioms can be used to express a level of expertise, acknowledge a repetitive scenario, or indicate previous exposure to similar experiences. They add to the richness and versatility of the English language, providing concise and relatable expressions for various contexts.

Example usage

Examples:

  1. I've seen this movie before, we should take a different approach.
  2. She always makes the same mistakes, it's like she has seen this movie a hundred times.
  3. He started telling me the same story again, I interrupted him saying "I've seen this movie already."

The idiom "have seen this movie" is often used metaphorically to express familiarity or repetition. In the first example, it suggests that the speaker has experienced a similar situation in the past and recommends a new approach to avoid repeating previous mistakes. The second example implies that someone repeatedly makes the same errors, emphasizing their lack of learning or growth. Finally, the third example shows how the idiom can be used to interrupt someone who is repeating a story or information that the listener already knows.

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