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11[[quoteright:300:[[Webcomic/EerieCuties https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/faileddramaticexit.png]]]]
12
13->''"That would have been a very dramatic exit, if only her room was down that hall."''
14-->-- '''Dr. Frasier Crane''', ''Series/{{Frasier}}''
15
16AliceAndBob have an argument, usually with Alice questioning Bob's planning or general capability.
17
18Either way, Bob acts indignant and shocked, insists he knows exactly what he's doing and storms off.
19
20After a brief pause, Alice politely points out that Bob is going the wrong way. Bob makes an embarrassed excuse and sheepishly wanders out in the right direction.
21
22Common variations include Alice not saying anything, but seeing Bob go one way, then hurriedly switching to the opposite direction, or Bob entering a closet (bonus points if Bob stays in there a while out of embarrassment).
23
24Similar scenes can be used to show that a character is particularly flustered or worried, or that a character is an infiltrator that doesn't know his way around. As a variant, Bob may have just expressed sudden resolve and set off to do some dramatic, plot-important event, but his conviction turns into comic effect by his mistake in direction.
25
26See also YourOtherLeft, HouseAmnesia, DoorFocus, CrossingTheBurntBridge. Often used as a tool of providing a FailedAttemptAtDrama. For a wider version of going the wrong way, see NoSenseOfDirection.
27
28----
29!!Examples:
30
31[[foldercontrol]]
32
33[[folder:Anime & Manga]]
34%%* Happens to Misaki in ''Manga/AngelicLayer''.
35* ''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'': The pilots break into their HQ using air vents. [[{{Tsundere}} Asuka]] pompously begins leading off, before [[EmotionlessGirl Rei]] points out she's going the wrong way.
36* ''Manga/RanmaOneHalf'':
37** A variation is used in the final arc: upon hearing about the bird people coming after Plum, [[NoSenseOfDirection Ryōga]] detects that two of them are in the room and makes a show of hurling his bamboo parasol in the direction of their hiding space... only to realize that, true to form, he threw it in the exact opposite direction.
38** A second variation comes from the anime adaptation of the Breaking Point storyline. After turning down Cologne's initial offer to train him, Ryoga takes his leave. The next scene shows him wandering into the living room and sheepishly asking them to tell him the way out... ''again''. The subbed version has Shampoo claim that this is the tenth time Ryōga has had to ask. And he ''still'' gets it wrong -- he follows Shampoo's directions and ends up at the toilet. Ryōga has NoSenseOfDirection.
39* ''Manga/{{Spriggan}}''. Inverted in the "First Mission" one shot when the door Yu accidentally walks through is in fact the exit...which is embarrassing because he did an EnterStageWindow and the men standing guard outside the door didn't know he was in there.
40* Variant in ''Anime/TransformersRobotsInDisguise'': Team Bullet Train arrives in search of the Predacons, and Midnight Express starts carefully picking his way among the civilians -- but then Railspike points out that they're in the opposite direction.
41[[/folder]]
42
43[[folder:Comedy]]
44* Creator/KevinHart discusses this in his special ''Seriously Funny''. He talks about when he gets in a fight with his wife and storms out the house, only to run back in to get his keys and wallet. Or even worse, pack his son's baby bag so he can go with him.
45[[/folder]]
46
47[[folder:Comic Strips]]
48* ''ComicStrip/CalvinAndHobbes'': Calvin announces his secession from the family and heads outside to strike out for the Yukon. His mother calls after him... but only to sardonically inform him, "You're heading southeast. North is that way."
49* ''ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}'':
50** [[http://garfield.com/comic/2014-09-18 Jon opens a door.]]
51--->'''Jon:''' Boy, it's dark outside!\
52'''Garfield:''' That's the closet.
53** [[http://www.gocomics.com/garfield/1995/01/01 Jon is excited about the new year and tries to get out of his house, only to mistakenly open the closet door.]]
54--->'''Garfield:''' New year, new start, new world, same Jon.
55[[/folder]]
56
57[[folder:Fan Works]]
58* Inverted in ''Fanfic/TheBridge'' when Xenilla ''enters'' a pregnant Princess Cadance's bedroom to give her a wellness check and breakfast through her closet. He'd built a portal door with Sunburst and Key Ring that links any two doors together in a close proximity, so Cadance is very confused upon his entry and exit via her and Shining's wardrobe closet.
59* Inverted in ''[[https://archiveofourown.org/works/15299694 Born Of The Same Impulse]]'', where Tony visits Stephen and wears out his welcome after [[OpenMouthInsertFoot making one too many insensitive remarks]]. Stephen sends out his guest by saying, "You know where the door is." In response, Tony deliberately goes towards the opposite direction of the exit, and begins packing Stephen's stuffs to bring him out of the house.
60* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11420845/11/Kitten-Ears-and-Lion-Hugs Kitten Ears and Lion Hugs]]'' Harry, annoyed at Cedric's stalking attempt, storms off to the owlery.
61-->'''Cedric:''' Wrong way, Harry.
62* ''Fanfic/{{Progress}}'': When Luna offers to show the Cutie Mark Crusaders the simulation room where they train astronauts, the fillies are so excited that they rush straight through the nearest door... which turns out to be the janitor's closet.
63[[/folder]]
64
65[[folder:Films — Animation]]
66* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Bolt}}'', Rhino sets off after Bolt with a long monologue beginning with "If Bolt's taught me anything, it's that you never abandon a friend in a time of need!", but he sets off in the wrong direction.
67* ''WesternAnimation/ABugsLife'':
68** Manny the mantis magician walks offscreen and causes a loud crash in an attempt to get to the circus tent. His wife Gypsy, used to this, doesn't even look up as she corrects him.
69--->'''Gypsy:''' The stage is the other way, dear.\
70'''Manny:''' Yes, of course!
71** Happens to Atta as a sign that she's beginning to fall for Flik.
72--->'''Atta:''' I've got to go... uh.. check on the bird. ''(walks off)''\
73'''Atta:''' ''(reappearing)'' Bird's.. um.. ''that'' way...\
74'''Flik:''' ''(seeing all the other insects looking at him with "isn't that sweet" expressions)'' What?
75* Variation in ''WesternAnimation/EgoTrip'': Dexter uses a time machine to go into the future, only to discover that his house is very different in the future, and runs into random rooms trying to find the front door. Unable to find it and frustrated, he uses a secret escape hatch underneath a lamp, which apparently was never changed.
76* In Disney's ''WesternAnimation/{{Hercules}}'', Hades frees the [[SealedEvilInACan Titans]] with mighty fanfare as they all march forth to destroy Zeus. Hades interrupts their cries of "Destroy Zeus!" with the comment, "Uh, guys? Olympus would be ''that'' way.", pointing a thumb in the opposite direction to where they're going.
77[[/folder]]
78
79[[folder:Films — Live-Action]]
80%%* Costello in some ''Film/AbbottAndCostello'' movies.
81* In the film ''Film/AdamsRib'', two characters conclude an argument by going to adjoining apartments and slamming the doors shut...then sheepishly crossing the hall, as each has accidentally gone to the other's apartment.
82* In ''Film/TheAmericanPresident'', President Shepherd (Michael Douglas) and lobbyist Sidney Wade (Annette Benning) get into a heated discussion in the Oval Office. She starts to storm out and the President stops her, telling her that ''that'' door goes into his private study, and then points out the proper exit.
83%%* Flustered version by Selina Kyle in ''Film/BatmanReturns''
84* Happens to Sam and his military escort at the start of ''Film/BurnNoticeTheFallOfSamAxe'' as they get turned around on the way to Sam's court martial.
85* In Mel Brooks' ''Film/DraculaDeadAndLovingIt'', Dracula hypnotizes Mina from outside her bedroom window and instructs her to leave her room. She dreamily flows to a door, opens it, steps through, and closes it behind her.
86-->'''Dracula:''' Mina... you are in the closet.
87* In the Extended Edition of Creator/PeterJackson's ''Film/TheLordOfTheRingsTheFellowshipOfTheRing'', Gandalf tells Frodo to lead the Fellowship out of Rivendell. When he gets to the gate, Frodo whispers to Gandalf: "Mordor, Gandalf - is it left or right?" Gandalf, of course, gives him the right answer: [[spoiler:left..]].
88* ''Film/EskimoDay'': Malcolm walks off in the wrong direction, just after an awkward conversation in which he has asked for directions.
89* During the second of the ''Film/FourWeddingsAndAFuneral'', Creator/HughGrant's character is in a hotel room when the bride and groom enter, intent on consummating right there and then. Charles edges his way towards a door and slips through. Later we cut back, just as the bride and groom are in the middle of yet more noisy sex, and the door creaks open. Charles is sitting on a sink in a hidden en-suite, looking distinctly uncomfortable. Eventually, he gives up, steps boldly out of the cupboard, flourishes a pencil, exclaims "Found it!" and leaves by the real door.
90* In the Israeli independent movie ''Film/HamossadHasagur'', Michal, [[spoiler:who always wanted to be a kindergartner]], is told by Rami to go take care of the career soldiers' children. She walks in the direction of his hand movement, but then comes back only to tell him that it's the other way around.
91* In ''Film/TheHitchHikersGuideToTheGalaxy2005'', Zaphod has just set their course for the Restaurant at the End of the Universe, only to have Marvin point out that the restaurant is at the ''other'' end of the universe.
92** This could be a more extreme example. In every adaptation where the restaurant is actually shown, it's at the ''temporal'' end of the universe.
93* In the film ''Film/ItsAWonderfulLife'', a drunken Uncle Billy walks home, needing George to point him in the right direction.
94* The Ben Affleck film ''Film/ManAboutTown'' features this as a RunningGag with a boardrooms door being right next to an identical door to a closet. Afleck at one point dramatically storms out of the boardroom, slams the door behind him and then reappears a second later to shout about the bad layout of the room.
95* In ''Film/PacificRim'', Mako tries to evade questions from Raleigh by turning around and heading for her room. After some fiddling around with the key at the door Raleigh notes that it was his room she tried to unlock.
96%%* The "entering the closet" version was used in ''Film/ThePinkPantherStrikesAgain''.
97%%* Curly in many ''Film/TheThreeStooges'' shorts.
98* ''Film/WhoFramedRogerRabbit'': Done by the title character when, after Eddie refuses to help him, he walks out in a huff... or tries to, anyway. Eddie helpfully shouts "That's the closet!"
99* In ''Film/TheWorldsGreatestAthlete'' (1973), a bumbling coach gives the football team a pep talk in the locker room. When he tells the team to go out there and win, they all race out the door with renewed determination. A few seconds later, the team comes back in through the door, [[spoiler: soaking wet. The door they went through led to the showers, not the field!]]
100* In ''Film/TheMedallion'' [[ButtMonkey Watson]], infuriated at the prospect that Li may be replacing him, storms out of the room. There is a pause, before an exasperated Hammerstock-Smythe informs him that [[FailedAttemptAtDrama he is in the filing cabinet]].
101* In a DeletedScene from the film adaptation of the ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'' short story "Troll Bridge", the commanders of two armies, who were both trying to give a RousingSpeech before the battle, and then started squabbling over which of them should go first, suddenly realise the battle has started without them. They run back to the armies, then stop, realise they got turned around during the argument, and head back to the ''right'' armies.
102[[/folder]]
103
104[[folder:Literature]]
105* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'':
106** Inverted in ''Literature/TheLastContinent'', when Rincewind is told he's needed for a dangerous quest, and immediately starts running like hell. The quest-issuing creature follows; when Rincewind shouts that he's not going to stop for anything, he's told he's already running in the ''right'' direction.
107** Played with in ''Literature/{{Jingo}}'', when two rival fishermen grab their sons and rush for the beaches, frantic to sail back to their home cities and lay claim to a newly-discovered island. Each man reaches the shore, realizes they grabbed the wrong boy, then rushes back to exchange sons while accusing the other of kidnapping.
108* ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'':
109** In ''The Taggerung'', Gruven, attempting to lead the hunting party, has just been told that the Taggerung is probably headed north. Much to their amusement, he tells them to break camp and starts marching south.
110[[/folder]]
111
112[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
113* In ''Series/TheAddamsFamily'', a poor mook trying to warn his superiors about the Addams (due to a series of misunderstandings, he thinks they attempted to kill him) storms off after not being believed, slams the door behind him, and after a few seconds sheepishly steps out of the closet and uses the other door, leading to one of his bosses saying, "I never knew he drank."
114* Variant on ''Series/AmericanIdol'': "Other door" practically became a catchphrase in the seventh season. The audition rooms were always double-doored, but only one of these doors ever opened, and, having entered through one of those doors, auditioners would inevitably try to leave through the other one. Which did not open. This also happened to Simon once. And one contestant somehow managed to burst through the locked door, to the judges' amazement. (This seemed to be a problem at ''every'' location they visited, making you wonder if they weren't setting the doors up like that on purpose to further embarrass the contestants.)
115* ''Series/{{Angel}}''
116** In "Ground State", Angel, Gunn, and Fred are breaking into an auction house. Fred has just explained the plan in detail. The men boldly head off, one to the left and one to the right... at which point Fred shouts "Guys!" Embarrassed, they switch directions.
117** In the episode where Angel first meets Fred, he has to leave her cave hideout so he can sally forth for StormingTheCastle. Fred looks depressed until Angel returns and sheepishly admits he has no idea where the castle is, so could she guide him there?
118* In Series 10 of ''Series/TheApprentice'' (UK), Solomon was so shaken by his interview with Claude Littner that he almost walked out of the window rather than the door.
119* Once on ''Series/AustraliasGotTalent'', in real life, on national television: after a successful audition, Nobel Lakaev skipped off in the wrong direction before he figured out that off-stage was over there and skipped right back across the stage, pointing sheepishly.
120* In the ''Series/{{Being Human|UK}}'' episode "Puppy Love", Emrys, believing that he has completed his unfinished business, tries to cross over and walks into a cupboard.
121%%* Used in the first episode of ''Series/BlackAdder''.
122* In ''Series/BoyMeetsWorld'', Cory saved face after walking into a closet by saying "And I'm taking back my sweater!" and storming out with it.
123* A two-in-one example from ''Series/{{Castle|2009}}''; Castle is dating a Hollywood actress. Beckett is [[UnresolvedSexualTension pretending not to be bugged by this]]. They have an argument about her intentions, which ends with Castle turning around to get a cup of coffee from the squad room and Beckett turning to go to the murder board. Unfortunately, both are pulling an Exit Is That Way, meaning they must turn around and walk sheepishly past each other to get to where they actually want to go.
124* In the second series of ''Series/DerryGirls'', Erin attempts to leave the mall after fighting with Clare but turns down the wrong hallway. Because the correct exit is in the opposite direction, she has to awkwardly pass by the group in order to actually leave.
125* Happens to a sleep-deprived Jesse in ''Series/DiagnosisMurder'' in "Misdiagnosis Murder". When Amanda tells him to go home and get some sleep, he angrily says he will and turns and strides dramatically through a door. Which turns out to be the broom closet.
126* ''Series/DoctorWho'':
127** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E3SchoolReunion "School Reunion"]]: Mickey assures Rose that he knows what he's doing and saunters off. He returns sheepishly a moment later to ask her for directions.
128** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E12ArmyOfGhosts "Army of Ghosts"]]: The Doctor strides out of a Torchwood lab and heads left. Yvonne Hartman immediately says "No, Doctor" and he heads right.
129** [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E2TheShakespeareCode "The Shakespeare Code"]]: The Doctor and Martha run down a street, with Martha protesting that they're going the wrong way, and the Doctor assuring her that they're not. Two seconds later, they're running in the opposite direction, and the Doctor admits that they ''were'' going the wrong way.
130%%* This happens to Sheriff Jack Carter A LOT in the first season of ''Series/{{Eureka}}''.
131%%-->'''Various Characters:''' [[LampshadeHanging Wait for it...]]
132* A particularly unusual (and funny) example occurs in ''Series/FatherTed''; the shot is composed so the viewer can only see the open door, and when [[CloudCuckooLander Father Dougal]] walks behind it, apparently to leave the room, he sheepishly re-emerges a few seconds later, having walked ''the wrong side'' of the open door, missing the exit entirely.
133* ''Series/{{Frasier}}'':
134** In an episode, Daphne has an argument with Frasier about her whereabouts before storming off to her room. Alas, she goes the wrong way, leading to the quote at the top of the page.
135** There's another episode where this trope is used in spirit; Frasier and Diane have a long heart-to-heart and they come to terms with their history together, and Frasier says his heartfelt goodbyes and turns to leave in this perfect moment... only to accidentally walk out the stage door, which has been designed to look like the ''Cheers'' bar, and have to sheepishly turn back and find the right door.
136--->'''Frasier:''' Force of habit.\
137'''Diane:''' I've been doing it all week.
138%%* The same joke has, however, been repeatedly used thirty years before on ''Series/GetSmart''.
139* ''Series/TheGoldenGirls'': Dorothy tries to walk out on a boyfriend [[spoiler:who just revealed to her that he's married]]. Semi-justified since they're in a hotel room.
140--->'''Dorothy:''' Oh god, I'm storming out to the closet!
141* ''Series/HorribleHistories'': After being fired as a geography teacher in a "Historical Educating' sketch, Christopher Columbus storms out of the head teacher's office into a cupboard. However, he refuses to admit this because his calculations clearly show that this is the exit.
142* ''Series/TheITCrowd'': In "Moss and the German", Douglas arranges a man-date with Roy, says his PA will call him with the details, and then walks into Jen's office. He comes out a moment later saying "That's not my office".
143* A more dramatic version is seen on an episode of ''Series/LawAndOrderCriminalIntent'' when the victim's mother asked the detectives for directions to the elevator in the court house. They gave her the directions and they talked for a little bit. The woman left and then Detective Logan said, "The elevators are this way." The woman nodded politely and walked away.
144* ''Series/{{Leverage}}'', "The Three Days of the Hunter Job", when Sophie takes a turn planning a con. She finishes telling the team all about the mark, but her closing line falls flat. Nate tells her she should turn and leave the room at that point to make it more dramatic. She does, and Nate quietly remarks, "She's walking into the closet."
145* ''Series/LostLoveInTimes'': Yuan Ling says he's going to take part in designing the hospital. He walks away, only for Yuan Che to tell him he's going in the wrong direction.
146* On an episode of ''Series/TheMightyBoosh'', Howard has a flashback of when the soul of jazz tricks him into signing away Howard's soul to him. After the evil jazz soul gets mad at Howard for not telling him his hat is on fire (and "ruining his exit") he stomps off to the right of the screen. Seconds later, he comes back, saying "There isn't an exit there, it's a damn toilet." and walks off to the left of the screen.
147* ''Series/OnlyFoolsAndHorses'': Rodney and Del have a blazing row (again) and Rodney storms out of the living room, heading for the pub. A moment later he returns, having realised he's still in his pyjamas.
148* ''Series/OurMissBrooks'': In "The Wrong Mrs. Boynton", [[ItMakesSenseInContext Miss Brooks accidentally offers to masquerade as Mr. Boynton's mother]] in front of Dean Faraday of State University. Playing the "wrong" Mrs. Boynton requires her to go to Mr. Boynton's apartment and entertain the dean. Unfortunately, Mr. Boynton's apartment features mainly wildlife specimens ... ''and doors''. Miss Brooks, at various times, mistakenly goes into the bathroom, closet, kitchen, bedroom, and once even locks herself outside the backdoor and has to be let in the front by the dean.
149* ''Series/{{Psych}}'': In one episode, Gus tries to leave the morgue because he's necrophobic. The door he rushes through is not the exit, but the room where bodies are stored.
150* ''Series/RedDwarf'':
151** Rimmer does this before taking his exams, insisting that everything is under control.
152** Done again by Rimmer when AppliedPhlebotinum creates a ''UsefulNotes/TyrannosaurusRex''.
153--->'''Lister:''' What do we do now?\
154'''Rimmer:''' [[DirtyCoward Follow the Rimmer-shaped blur!]]\
155''[Rimmer exits, stage left]''\
156''[everyone else exits, stage right]''\
157''[{{beat}}]''\
158''[Rimmer runs back on screen, then exits right]''
159* ''Series/{{Scrubs}}'' uses this a lot.
160-->'''J.D.:''' Now let's see how you like it when I walk away from you.\
161''[exits right]''\
162''[walks back on screen]''\
163'''J.D.:''' Actually, I need to go this way.\
164''[exits left]''\
165''[walks back on screen]''\
166'''J.D.:''' Right the first time.\
167''[exits right]''
168* In the ''Series/TopGearUK'' Botswana special, [[NoSenseOfDirection James May]] manages to set off in the wrong direction - towards Zimbabwe. (At a time when Creator/TheBBC were ''banned'' from Zimbabwe.) Fortunately he quickly realises his error.
169* There is an instance involving Ainsley Hayes, Jed Bartlet, Leo [=McGarry=], and a closet which is not a bathroom on ''Series/TheWestWing''.
170** In the episode "In the Shadow of Two Gunmen Part II", C.J., [[ItMakesSenseInContext after falling into her pool]], says she's going into her house to change and then she'll discuss the job Toby's offered her. Because she's not wearing her glasses or contacts, Toby has to point out she's walking in the wrong direction.
171** PlayedForDrama in "Ellie"; after Ellie gets chewed out by Bartlet in the Oval Office, she starts to leave, only to indicate she has no idea where the exit is because there's multiple doors and she rarely visits. Bartlet has to point her to the correct door.
172* ''Series/YoureSkittingMe'': After having been humiliated for being afraid of spiders, Ultra Boy attempts to leave with dignity by yelling "Ultra Boy, away!" and striding into the corridor. A few seconds later, he walks past the door again, noting sheepishly that the exit is this way.
173[[/folder]]
174
175[[folder:Professional Wrestling]]
176* Wrestling/LexLuger ended up doing this (and by all accounts, in a genuine accident) during [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHTj7qfnTak this infamous 2004 promo for CyberSpace Wrestling Federation]]. On top of [[{{Angrish}} screaming to the point of mangling up his words]] and struggling to rip off a t-shirt, Lex stormed off-camera, [[FailedAttemptAtDrama only for a very audible clanging sound and the shout of "AND THE DOOR'S LOCKED TOO!" to reverberate through the hallway]].
177[[/folder]]
178
179[[folder:Theatre]]
180* Used in the production of ''{{Theatre/Hamlet}}'' in ''Theatre/TheCompleteWorksOfWilliamShakespeareAbridged''. Hamlet declares, "The time is out of joint--O cursed spite, that ever I was born to exit RIGHT!" He then starts to exit, only to realize that he is exiting stage ''left'' and quickly reverse direction.
181* Subverted in ''Theatre/LegallyBlonde TheMusical'', with Elle making a dramatic exit with the parting line, "I'm never wearing that [a navy blue suit] again." When one of the other characters points out that she's in the supply closet, she replies, "I know! I said I'm never wearing that again...I'm wearing THIS!" and emerges in a hot pink suit.
182* ''Theatre/PlayOn'', which is about a community theatre production, has a moment when one of the actors accidentally exits through the door to the servant's quarters instead of the door to the stairs. One of the other actors calls after him to tell him he's going the wrong way, and he turns around...only to go all the way past the windows instead. The other actors try to cover for him, saying, "He must be using the outside staircase."
183* A variation of this is done in ''Theatre/{{Wicked}}''. After helping Elphaba rescue a lion cub and an awkward romantic moment, Fiyero takes the cub and runs off stage to take it to safety. Then, Fiyero runs back across stage pointing in the other direction and miming 'that way'.
184[[/folder]]
185
186[[folder:Video Games]]
187* Done during the intro of ''VideoGame/ConkersBadFurDay'' where the title character ends up getting so drunk that he has trouble finding the exit. His first attempt has him going to the toilets.
188* Done towards the end of ''VideoGame/TheSecretOfMonkeyIsland'' when Guybrush is heading for the church to rescue Elaine, but only if the player ''directs'' him to walk the wrong way.
189[[/folder]]
190
191[[folder:Web Animation]]
192* ''WebAnimation/RedVsBlue'': Happens twice with Donut in the first season. The first time, he is asked to [[SnipeHunt go to the "store"]] and instead heads for the back wall of the Red Base, before being pointed in the direction of the open field. The second time, Donut is told by Grif to take the Blue flag back to base. Donut runs off, before Grif clarifies to bring the flag to RED base. Both times, Donut gives the same reply:
193-->'''Donut:''' I knew that! I just... got turned around, is all.
194[[/folder]]
195
196[[folder:Webcomics]]
197* Claire from ''Webcomic/BiteMe'':
198-->'''Claire:''' This is a matter of life and death! RESCUE HO!\
199SLAM!\
200'''Luther:''' I believe she just strode into a closet.\
201'''Lucien:''' Yes, but it's very big, so it'll take her a while.
202* Kyran from ''Webcomic/EmergencyExit'':
203-->'''Delaine:''' Door's that way.\
204'''Kyran:''' BAH! I don't need doors!\
205[...]\
206'''Kyran:''' OK, yes I do. But gosh dorn it, I'm going to use it ''dramatically''!
207* ''Webcomic/{{Loserz}}'':
208** Not about the exit, but definitely the wrong way in [[http://the-qlc.com/loserz/go/78 this strip]].
209--->"Uh, guys? Jodie would be that-a-way."
210** A sleep-drunk Eric walks into the closet instead of leaving the house for school one morning.
211--->'''Eric:''' Who left all these coats out here?
212** When Eric and Alice meet up as dates at the Spring Dance, Ben attempts to smoothly make his exit to give them some alone-time, only to walk face-first right into a wall.
213--->'''Ben:''' ''[face bruised]'' There's a ''wall'' there.\
214'''Eric:''' Thanks for the heads up.
215%%* Xain from ''Webcomic/PebbleVersion'' is made of this trope.
216* ''Webcomic/TheClassMenagerie'': In the "Pre-Occupied'' arc, Lisa interviews for a summer job as the Returns clerk for a large chain store. The manager points out that her job will mostly revolve around dealing with irrational, distraught customers, and asks if she can handle that. The reader has already been shown Lisa handling her lunatic dorm mates at their worst, most notably JerkJock Biff, drunk off his ass after a frat party, trying to unlock the door to his room and failing miserably. And for good reason.
217-->'''Lisa''': Biff, sweetie, that's the ''elevator''.
218[[/folder]]
219
220[[folder:Web Original]]
221%%* Seen in the [title of show] show ChristmasEpisode [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0pzme9IcNo]] around 02:19.
222* Legendary Frog's parody Flash animation of ''Film/TheLordOfTheRings'' has Frodo eagerly tell Sam after destroying the One Ring, "Let's go home!", and walks off. A moment later, he walks back the other way and says, still as cheerful and eager as he was before, "The Shire is this way."
223[[/folder]]
224
225[[folder:Western Animation]]
226* Seen in one episode of ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDad''.
227-->'''Francine:''' Stan, honey, that's a closet.\
228'''Stan:''' [[IMeantToDoThat I'M LOOKING FOR PEACHES!]]
229* [[CloudCuckoolander Spud]] of ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong'' has done this, in the episode "Professor Rotwood's Thesis". Having determined that the priceless antique belonging to Trixie's mom that the PowerTrio just broke is actually one of a hundred copies, Spud dramatically declares that they just need is to find one and hurries off. Into the closet.
230-->'''Spud:''' Um, I'm lost.
231* ''WesternAnimation/BoJackHorseman'': In Season 6, Diane is at the train station to leave Chicago and her boyfriend Guy says he won't [[PleaseDontLeaveMe beg her to stay]]. When Diane gets onboard, Guy seems ready to go back on his word, but is really trying to warn her she's going the wrong way to the airport.
232-->'''Guy:''' That train's going to Cottage Grove - you're gonna get screwed! ''[the train doors close and trap Diane inside]''
233* On a very special episode of ''WesternAnimation/CloneHigh'', Abe Lincoln, while talking to Joan of Arc on a dock, attempts to dramatically stride back to shore. "Goodbye, Joan." He walks the wrong way, and falls into the water. "Goodbye, Joan."
234* In ''WesternAnimation/TheCritic'' episode "Lady Hawke", Alice storms off Jay's set in a jealous huff and says she wants to leave with her dignity... only for the door she just walked through slam shut and reveal that its the Men's Bathroom.
235-->'''Alice:''' Jay... is there a little man on the outside of this door?\
236'''Jay:''' Yes.\
237'''Alice:''' Oh poo!
238* In a Terrible Thunder Lizards segment of the ''WesternAnimation/EekTheCat'' cartoon [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed Mr. T.Rex]] lead the Thunder Lizards away from the command center... into a bathroom.
239* ''WesternAnimation/TheFairlyOddParents'': Mr. Turner is so upset over how unhelpful he is with Timmy's homework, he decides to leave Timmy's room. He first enters the closet, then the bathroom, and then he finally leaves Timmy's bedroom... through the ''window''.
240* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'':
241** In "[[Recap/FamilyGuyS2E9IfImDyinImLyin If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin']]", Peter and Chris's favorite show ''Gumbel And Gumbel'' is cancelled, leading Peter to storm to the networks headquarters and demand it be brought back.
242--->'''Secretary:''' Sir, you can't go in there.\
243'''Peter:''' Oh yeah? Just watch me! ''[Peter attempts to burst through the door [[RealFakeDoor only to smack into a brick wall, as it turns out the door is just a scenery prop]]]''\
244'''Secretary:''' [[NotHyperbole No, I mean you can't go in there because that door leads nowhere.]] It's the one next to it.
245** In "Brian Wallows and Peter Swallows", Brian gets fed up with caring for elderly shut-in Pearl and tries to storm out of her house after an argument, only to be frustrated by her locked front door. Pearl coaches him on how to open it, after which he politely reminds her to "drop dead" and leaves.
246* ''WesternAnimation/FatAlbertAndTheCosbyKids'': In "The Stranger", Fat Albert and the gang are backing away from Donald's cousin Betty but back themselves into the janitor's closet instead of their classroom: not even noticing till they shut the door and all of the brooms and mops fall on them.
247* In the 1977 ChristmasSpecial ''[[WesternAnimation/TheFlintstones A Flintstones Christmas]]'', Mr. Slate asks Fred to perform as Santa at a charity event their wives are hosting. Fred, relieved due to thinking Slate was firing him, takes the costume and leaves through the nearest door, not looking to see which one.
248-->'''Mr. Slate:''' Flintstone, ''will you get out of my closet?!''
249* Simultaneously lampshaded and averted in the ''WesternAnimation/GravityFalls'' episode "The Hand That Rocks the Mabel":
250-->''[Grunkle Stan exits, slamming door behind him]''\
251'''Soos:''' Dude, wouldn't it be funny if that was a closet, and he had to come back out again and walk out the real door? ''[opens door and looks out]'' Nope, real door.
252* The ''WesternAnimation/HerculesTheAnimatedSeries'' episode "Hercules and the Twilight of the Gods" has a CallForward to the example from the film: All the baddies of the Norse pantheon march off in much the same way, with cries of "Ragnarok!", and a prominent sign indicates that they are, indeed, heading to Mount Olympus. Loki interrupts to let them know that, since they're ''Norse'' monsters, they should be heading to ''Valhalla'' instead.
253* As the cliffhanger to the LegionOfDoom episode of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague'', the heroes all dramatically walk away in different directions, indicating the end of the League. However, they are in an enclosed warehouse. FridgeLogic dictates that at least ''some'' of them had to turn around and find another exit. Although if they were proud enough, most of them could have just [[ThereWasADoor made]] one...
254* ''WesternAnimation/LooneyTunes'' loves this trope. From "Fallin' Hare":
255-->'''Bugs Bunny:''' ''[struck on head]'' [[NonSequiturThud Which way did he go, George, which way did he go?]]\
256'''The Gremlin:''' Hmm! That way! ''[points in two directions, eyes crossed]''\
257'''Bugs Bunny:''' Gee, thanks a lot, George! ''[knocked out]''
258* ''WesternAnimation/MrMagoo'': In "WesternAnimation/TroubleIndemnity", Magoo tries to give pushy insurance salesman Mr. Tirefighter the boot and [[BlindMistake ends up shoving him into a hall closet]].
259* ''WesternAnimation/MyFinancialCareer'': The young man's rising panic and nervousness at the bank cause him to walk into the safe instead of out the door when leaving the bank manager's office.
260* ''WesternAnimation/MyLifeAsATeenageRobot'': In "Ear No Evil" where Jenny wants her own ears to fit in, despite her mom insisting that she built the ears ''into'' her since she's a robot. Jenny still doesn't take it well.
261-->'''Jenny:''' Fine, if you won't help me, I'll make my own ears!\
262''[storms out and slams door]''\
263'''Mrs. Wakeman:''' Uh...closet.\
264'''Jenny:''' ''[stomps out of the closet and storms out the other door, slamming it multiple times]''
265* An unusual version is seen in the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' episode "Boast Busters", after Twilight Sparkle and Spike have an argument that involves her creating a door in the middle of the room in front of him. In the end, he slams it on her again, but of course has to come away from behind it after that to actually leave.
266* ''WesternAnimation/ScoobyDooMysteryIncorporated'': In "The Wild Brood", Sheriff Stone attempts to leave Daphne's bedroom and instead walks into her closet. Where he gets lost.
267* ''WesternAnimation/SheZow'': In "S.I.C.K. Day", Mega Monkey sends the candidates to join S.I.C.K. (FunWithAcronyms Society of Incredible Callous Kriminals) off to capture She-Zow. They march out of the boardroom through a door only for Mega Monkey to announce "That's the bathroom". They turn around and leave via exit (Candy Rapper steals a towelon the way).
268* ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'':
269** In one episode, Bart breaks into a blind man's house to get his dog back. When the man comes downstairs, Bart attempts to flee.
270--->'''Blind Man:''' I may be blind, but you just ran into a closet!
271** In [[WesternAnimation/TheSimpsonsMovie The Movie]]: Burns has sent the dogs. After a small bit of chasing, he reminds his "visitors" of where the exit is.
272* In the ''WesternAnimation/SpongebobSquarepants'' episode, "Pickles", Spongebob starts struggling in making krabby patties, so Mr. Krabs tells him to go home and get some rest. Spongebob immediately has trouble finding the door out of the Krusty Krab... [[EpicFail which was right next to him]]. He also has to ask which way his home is.
273* In the ''WesternAnimation/VeggieTales'' episode "The Star of Christmas", Cavis (Bob), thinking that Millward (Larry) and Seymour (Pa Grape) are walking out on him when their musical isn't going as planned, "shows them the door" with an indignant face, and it turns out to be the closet. When he opens the right door, he checks quickly before making the face.
274* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/TheWeekenders'' involves Tish forcing the others to participate in a radio play. During rehearsal (in Tino's room) she becomes more and more demanding, until finally Carver has a prima-donna moment and declares, "I can't work under these conditions! I'm going to my trailer!" and walks into Tino's closet, slamming the door. When this is pointed out? "A ''real'' actor can make the audience ''believe'' a closet is a trailer."
275[[/folder]]
276
277[[folder:Real Life]]
278%% Weblinks are not examples. Please add the context from the video to this entry.
279%%* [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHjIb6trxBI This]] spectacular George Bush fail.
280* According to Dick Nunis, who was the area manager for Adventureland at [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Disneyland]] at the time, he once got into an argument with Creator/WaltDisney about making changes to an area in the park to improve guest flow. Apparently, after Disney refused, Nunis called him an asshole and tried to dramatically leave the room... only to accidentally walk into the closet.
281* In 2022, after a big win against the Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr excitedly embraced his teammate and longtime friend Davante Adams and began to make his way into the tunnel... only for Adams to inform him he was trying to enter the ''Broncos''' tunnel.
282-->'''Adams:''' I did save Derek a little bit. He almost pulled us into the wrong tunnel. He was a little excited and I'm like, "Yeah, I'm excited, too, but we gotta go this way."
283[[/folder]]
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