dun dun dun

English

Etymology

Onomatopoeic representation of a stereotypical three-note dramatic sting (short musical phrase) used in films and television.

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Interjection

dun dun dun

  1. Used as a dramatic pause, or to otherwise emphasize that something is frightening, thrilling, etc.
    • 2006, H. M. Leathem, W.T.F.?: What Is Wrong with Tom Faerie, iUniverse (2006), →ISBN, page 22:
      I am not going to tell you the exact locations of my stops, but my final destination (dun dun dun) is London, England.
    • 2007, Amanda Kerlin & Phil Oh, Secrets of the Model Dorm, Washington Square Press (2007), →ISBN, page 53:
      “All right—dun, dun, dun! Time to get measured, hon.”
    • 2012, Mike Draper, The Midwest: God's Gift to Planet Earth!, Raygun (2012), →ISBN, page 192:
      When police officer Alex Murphy starts his term in Old Detroit, his fellow officers tell him, "Welcome to hell."
      Dun dun dun.
    • For more examples of usage of this term, see Citations:dun dun dun.
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