jump the shark

Register · Informal Informal — used in casual, everyday conversation among friends and family. Avoid in formal writing or professional settings. CEFR C1

Post

Figurative meaning

to reach the point of absurd decline, past which a product or franchise loses credibility

Why this phrase?

From the 1977 Happy Days episode in which Fonzie water-skis over a shark — the moment the show's quality visibly died.

Example

“Adding AI avatars to the notes app felt like jumping the shark.”

Dictionary details

Component words

jump shark

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

the writing on the wall Neutral · CEFR B1

clear and unmistakable signs that failure or disaster is coming

a bad press Neutral · CEFR B2

unfavorable reporting or reputation in the media or among people

flash in the pan Informal · CEFR B2

something that shows brilliant early promise but fails quickly and leaves nothing behind

flavor of the month Informal · CEFR B2

a person, framework, or thing that is fashionable for a very short time

gold rush Neutral · CEFR B2

a sudden mass rush to profit from a new opportunity

over the hill Informal · CEFR B2

no longer young or at one's best

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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