the butler did it
the butler did it
An expression used to describe an ending or resolution to a fictional mystery that is stereotypical, predictable, or contrived. Based on the murder mystery cliché of revealing that the butler was the one who committed the murder. The rest of the book was so interesting and well written, which makes the silly the-butler-did-it ending all the more disappointing. The film cops out when it reveals the mastermind behind the whole scheme, boiling down to little more than "the butler did it."
See also: did
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
The butler did it.
1. Lit. The butler performed the crime. (A catchphrase.) I know who killed Lord Drax. The butler did it! I saw him!
2. Fig. It happened just the way it always happens. Of course, that's it. The butler did it. The butler always does it.
See also: did
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
- whodunit
- have the munchies
- inside
- ve haf vays of making you talk
- case closed
- haf
- vays
- ve haf vays
- this ought to be good
- this should be good