Do It for the Plot

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About

Do It for the Plot is an internet slang term used to encourage yourself or others to do something, regardless of the potential for a bad or otherwise life-changing outcome, in order to advance "the plot" and move on to the next "plot point," as if considering yourself the main character of your life. The term was coined by actress Serena Kerrigan as early as July 2021 and gained viral spread over the following months, particularly on TikTok.

Origin

On July 23rd, 2021, actress Serena Kerrigan posted a video to her TikTok^[1] page, @serenakerrigan, where she says, "this is your reminder that if something works out, great, and if it doesn't, it's for the plot," garnering over 140,000 views in two years (shown below). It is unclear if this is the first time she used the phrase.

@serenakerrigan Its looking like a 5 part memoir at this point 😩 #drunkgirl #fortheplot #singlelife #hookups ♬ original sound – SFK

Kerrigan continued to use "do it for the plot" in future TikTok^[2]^[3] videos, he;ping spread the phrase across TikTok (examples shown below).

@serenakerrigan Life is short. Nothing matters. Do it for the plot. #plottwist #yolo #realized #todayilearned ♬ use this sound if your gay – 🕷

@serenakerrigan
Am I doing it for the plot???

♬ original sound – SFK

Spread

The phrase "do it for the plot" became increasingly popular throughout 2022. On August 15th, 2022, the term was added to Urban Dictionary,^[4] garnering over 60 thumbs-ups in a year. On December 22nd, TikToker^[5] @nevinmckinnon posted a video using the phrase, garnering over 1.1 million views in 10 months (shown below, left). On February 19th, 2023, TikToker^[6] @megan_a_james posted a video referring to the phrase, garnering over 9 million views in eight months (shown below, right).

@nevinmckinnon Anytbing for the plot #theplotthickens ♬ bored zippy on soundcloud – xylo

@megan_a_james
the hold this phrase has on me

♬ som original – ZITRILOGY

The phrase became increasingly popular in October 2023. On October 2nd, 2023, TikToker^[7] @ann_natalie posted a video where she shares the phrase, garnering over 3.8 million views in two weeks (shown below, left). On October 5th, TikToker^[8] @ktvill_ posted a video sharing the phrase, garnering over 3.2 million views in the same rough span of time.

On October 12th, X^[9] user @nattiteto made a post that translates to, "I like the gen z language that says do it for the plot/ live for the plot or for the plot. In short, whatever you want to do, just do it. Our lives are ours. We are the main characters of this plot," garnering over 3,700 likes in six days.

@ann_natalie I ❤️ gen-z lingo – sincerely, a millennial #millennialsoftiktok #genz #genzlingo #doitfortheplot ♬ original sound – NatalieAnn

@ktvill_ It slaps, no cap, fr fr ✨ #genzslang #genz #plot ♬ original sound – Kevo

Various Examples

@serenakerrigan its plot girl summer baby #doitfortheplot #fortheplot #yolo #plotgirlsummer #maincharacter ♬ original sound – Tyler

@gabschase
it’s for the plot

♬ original sound – Gabrielle

@jamietavernini do it for the plot #fyp #fypシ゚viral #doitfortheplot ♬ original sound – yelenabelovasnewvest🍉🍒🥝

@daniarribere Send this to your friend who needs to do it for the plot 👀😎 #doitfortheplot #doitfortheplotline #fyp #plottwist #doitforthetiktok ♬ som original – ZITRILOGY