The Village Idiom

this is where we came in

The idiom "this is where we came in" means that the situation is repeating itself, similar to when someone arrives late to a movie and enters the theater just as the story is starting over again. It implies that the speaker is familiar with the situation and has already seen or experienced it before.

Time & pace · Filed under T

In a sentence

  • After watching a movie for a while, Jack realized that the ending was the same as the beginning and said, "This is where we came in!
  • During a long business meeting, Sarah noticed that the discussion had circled back to the original topic and jokingly exclaimed, "This is where we came in, isn't it?
  • As a play reached its final scene, Mary turned to her friend and whispered, "This is where we came in. It's like we're seeing it all over again.

Where it comes from and how it is used

The idiom "here we go again" is closely related to the expression "this is where we came in". Both idioms convey a sense of déjà vu or repetition. "Here we go again" is often used when someone finds themselves in a familiar or frustrating situation that has happened before. It implies a sense of resignation or predictability, as if the outcome of the situation is already known.

Similarly, "this is where we came in" can be used to indicate that the speaker recognizes a familiar pattern or sequence of events. It suggests that the current situation is a rehash of something that has already happened, and that history is repeating itself. Just as "here we go again" implies a sense of inevitability, "this is where we came in" acknowledges that the speaker has seen or heard something before.

The idiom "here we go" is similar to "here we go again" and "this is where we came in" in that it conveys a sense of déjà vu or repetition. It is often used when someone anticipates that a familiar or recurring situation is about to happen. "Here we go" suggests that the speaker recognizes the pattern of events and knows what is about to unfold.

Finally, the phrase "once again" is often used to indicate that something is happening or being repeated for a second or subsequent time. It suggests that the speaker has seen or experienced the same thing before and that it is happening again. In the context of "this is where we came in", the phrase "once again" reinforces the idea that the current situation is a repetition or continuation of what has already happened.

Know an earlier use or a better origin story?Tell us.