History Main / YouKnowWhatToDo

[[FridgeLogic If you think about it]], this is really a very odd phrase to use in a regular professional capacity, as that kind of vagary can easily lead to misunderstandings and somewhat belies the usefulness of giving orders in the first place. But it can be {{justified|Trope}} when the order is given over an insecure channel, like a public telephone, to avoid incrimination. Often the "you know what to do" involves [[DeadlyEuphemism killing somebody]]. May involve nonverbal communication like handing someone a gun. May be subverted, if the recipient decides to turn the tables and do something unexpected, or just misunderstands and takes the phrase in a different way than intended. Still, despite its particular age, this trope is more often played straight than lampshaded.

* Variations of this were used ''all the time'' on TheWestWing. The implication is that the characters were all so smart and good at their jobs and in tune with each other that they could leave some things unsaid. Unfortunately, the audience sometimes ended up confused.

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* ''ZeroWing''

In ''Literature/DragonBones'', Oreg to Ward. Subverted in that he's Ward's slave, not his boss. [[spoiler: Played straight in that it involves killing. Killing Oreg, that is.]]

* ''KyleXY'' episode "The List Is Life"

* Lampshaded in ''Film/ReignOfFire'':

* In ''HotFuzz'', after Chief Inspector Butterman is finally convinced that the scene of an "accident" might be a murder, he rattles off orders to each of the police officers on the scene, finishing with this phrase to the two main characters. Cut to them standing around, holding down the crime scene.

* ''Series/{{Angel}}''. Used for a BaitAndSwitch in "Double or Nothing". Angel is playing an AbsurdlyHigh-StakesGame that if he loses will cost him his soul (which will turn him evil). He hands Cordy a wooden stake and says she knows what to do if that happens, implying a StakingTheLovedOne scene. When Angel does lose the game, Cordy instead rams the stake through the BigBad's palm, holding him in place so Angel can lop off his head.

* ''HotShots! Part Deux''

* ''WarAndPeace'' (1956)

* Lampshaded in ReignOfFire :

* Rico's sargeant in the film version of ''Literature/StarshipTroopers'' utters this but the movie makes it pretty clear [[MercyKill what that means]].

* The Witch says this to Maugrim in ''TheLionTheWitchAndTheWardrobe'' as she sends him to hunt down the Pevensies.

-->'''Lois Griffin:''' Peter, punish Chris.\\
'''Peter Griffin:''' Son, I'm watching the game, you know what to do.\\

[[FridgeLogic If you think about it]], this is really a very odd phrase to use in a regular professional capacity, as that kind of vagary can easily lead to misunderstandings and somewhat belies the usefulness of giving orders in the first place. But it can be {{justified|Trope}} when the order is given over an insecure channel, like a public telephone, to avoid incrimination. Often the "you know what to do" involves killing somebody. May involve nonverbal communication like handing someone a gun. May be subverted, if the recipient decides to turn the tables and do something unexpected, or just misunderstands and takes the phrase in a different way than intended. Still, despite its particular age, this trope is more often played straight than lampshaded.

* In the intro to ''BrainDead13'', this one is spoken by Dr. Nero Neurosis to Fritz when describing his plan to [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness kill Lance after fixing his computer]].

* In ''WesternAnimation/DonkeyKongCountry'', King K. Rool sends Klump and Krusha find out what's causing a banging noise that's keeping all of Kongo-Bongo Island awake (It's Eddie the Mean Old Yeti, BTW). While communicating with them, K. Rool notices the [[MacGuffin Crystal Coconut]] [[ItMakesSenseInContext flying around.]]

* Rico's sargeant in the film version of ''StarshipTroopers'' utters this but the movie makes it pretty clear [[MercyKill what that means]].

[[FridgeLogic If you think about it]], this is really a very odd phrase to use in a regular professional capacity, as that kind of vagary can easily lead to misunderstandings and somewhat belies the usefulness of giving orders in the first place. But it can be [[JustifiedTrope justified]] when the order is given over an insecure channel, like a public telephone, to avoid incrimination. Often the "you know what to do" involves killing somebody. May involve nonverbal communication like handing someone a gun. May be subverted, if the recipient decides to turn the tables and do something unexpected, or just misunderstands and takes the phrase in a different way than intended. Still, despite its particular age, this trope is more often played straight than lampshaded.

* ''ToyStory''

[[AC:LiveActionTelevision]]

** Example: Charlie (black) goes out with Zoey (white, and the President's daughter). Bartlett tells him: "You go out with Zoey, you're gonna get your picture taken. And you'll get letters. You know what to do with them?" Charlie just nods. The standard listen-to-your-heart Aesop would be "throw them in the trash", and many viewers might assume that's what is meant. But in the West Wing, of course, the real answer is "Hand them in to the Secret Service for exhaustive forensic analysis!"

* ''ZeroWing''

<<|StockPhrases|>>

Example: Charlie (black) goes out with Zoey (white, and the President's daughter). Bartlett tells him: "You go out with Zoey, you're gonna get your picture taken. And you'll get letters. You know what to do with them?" Charlie just nods. The standard listen-to-your-heart Aesop would be "throw them in the trash", and many viewers might assume that's what is meant. But in the West Wing, of course, the real answer is "Hand them in to the Secret Service for exhaustive forensic analysis!"

* ''[[CatsAndDogs Cats & Dogs]]''

* ''RedVsBlue'', Sarge gives a RousingSpeech in ''Revelation'' (Season 8), ending with…

* ''FamilyGuy''

* ''Futurama'': In "A Fishful of Dollars", [[CorruptCorporateExecutive Mom]] uses a security video to instruct her sons on how to bankrupt the newly-rich Fry.

* ''KingdomHearts II''

Example: Charlie (black) goes out with Zoey (white, and the President's daughter). Bartlett tells him: "You go out with Zoey, you're gonna get your picture taken. And you'll get letters. You know what to do with them?" Charlie just nods. The standard listen-to-your-heart Aesop, the answer would be "throw them in the trash", and many viewers might assume that's what is meant. But in the West Wing, of course, the real answer is "Hand them in to the Secret Service for exhaustive forensic analysis!"