Did I forget to mention that you won't have a problem with air conditioning and windows? Monica: Sir, have you been drinking? Jack: Of course not. Instantly Proven Wrong is a comedic device where a character confidently asserts something, only to have reality swiftly and decisively contradict them. This trope thrives on the rapid and often embarrassing exposure of the character's misguided belief, boast, or prediction.
It's a quick turn of events, usually played for laughs or irony, as the universe or circumstances conspire to immediately reveal the falsehood in their statement.
A form of Hypocritical Humor. Compare with: Tempting Fate : The universe punishes a character, and as a side effect it proves them wrong. In this trope, being proven wrong or a liar is the punishment.
Also Tempting Fate mostly applies to predictions explicit or implicit that characters make about their own futures. This trope can apply to a much broader range of statements. Cue the Flying Pigs : A character makes a bet on a close-to-impossible outcome and is proven wrong. Description Cut : The character remains unaware of the contradiction because it happens at another place that the scene cuts to. Gilligan Cut : The proving wrong only appears instantaneous due to the narrative omitting intervening events.
Immediate Self-Contradiction : The contradiction is brought about by the character themself and not by outside forces. Implausible Deniability : The exposure of some truth comes before the actual denial. Joke and Receive : In this case, the character is instantly proven right , despite the statement being a joke or sarcasm. Liar Revealed : The lie and its exposure are driving the plot while Instantly Proven Wrong is an inconsequential comedy element.
