the plot thickens
idiom
—used to say that the story in a novel, movie, etc., becomes more complicated or interesting
The plot thickens when the audience learns that the missing woman used to work for the FBI.
—sometimes used in a usually humorous way to talk about things that happen in real lifeSo you've worked with him before? Ah, the plot thickens.
Examples of the plot thickens in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As the plot thickens, personal demons, Soviet legacies and local superstitions collide with devastating consequences.
—
Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
These are already themes that define the vampire archetype, but when transitioning a sign like Capricorn, which is symbolic of time, legacy and mortality, the plot thickens as these are the very things vampires defy.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Dark and elegant, growing more frightening as the plot thickens, The Medium surpasses all expectations of a Tai-South Korean mockumentary supernatural horror film.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
However, the plot thickens when Braxton’s character discovers that Richard has become engaged to a woman named Monica (Essence Atkins), who happens to be Montgomery’s friend from college.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Oct. 2025
However, the plot thickens when Ventham himself is later killed after being injected with a lethal dose of fentanyl.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
As the plot thickens, both Beck and Charlie are drawn into a dangerous situation, of course.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 27 July 2025
For those of you who've been wondering why your favorite coffee haven, Radio Coffee & Beer, was mysteriously shut down earlier this month, the plot thickens.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 23 May 2025
As the plot thickens, the affable camaraderie between the cousins escalates to hostile animosity.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024
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Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2025
These are already themes that define the vampire archetype, but when transitioning a sign like Capricorn, which is symbolic of time, legacy and mortality, the plot thickens as these are the very things vampires defy.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Dark and elegant, growing more frightening as the plot thickens, The Medium surpasses all expectations of a Tai-South Korean mockumentary supernatural horror film.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
However, the plot thickens when Braxton’s character discovers that Richard has become engaged to a woman named Monica (Essence Atkins), who happens to be Montgomery’s friend from college.
—Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 1 Oct. 2025
However, the plot thickens when Ventham himself is later killed after being injected with a lethal dose of fentanyl.
—Keith Langston, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025
As the plot thickens, both Beck and Charlie are drawn into a dangerous situation, of course.
—Sandra Dallas, Denver Post, 27 July 2025
For those of you who've been wondering why your favorite coffee haven, Radio Coffee & Beer, was mysteriously shut down earlier this month, the plot thickens.
—Ana Gutierrez, Austin American Statesman, 23 May 2025
As the plot thickens, the affable camaraderie between the cousins escalates to hostile animosity.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 3 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“The plot thickens.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20plot%20thickens. Accessed 20 Nov. 2025.
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