in the can
8
8.3
- idiom
- Jargon
:
terminado
- After months of work, our latest project is in the can and ready for release.
- episodes in the can
- movie in the can
- film was in the can
Examples
-
The guys upstairs thought it was in the can already.
Fiction book (1998) -
But I have interviews with Shane Dubose and Lance King in the can, awaiting transcription.
Blog text (5) -
We already have six shows in the can.
-
Particularly after a jump was finished or the film was in the can.
-
All team members had unique jobs until the raw digital video was "in the can."
Academic text (2010) -
I got the last four tracks in the can yesterday.
Fiction book (1994) -
You stick with the program, we get this movie in the can, I'm thinking there could be a Teen Choice Award in it for you.
-
We've got everything we need in the can already.
-
It's in the can, debuting tonight, and the kind folks at USA gave us a sneak preview.
Blog text (17) -
Still, when the film was in the can, the studio chieftain recognized what Huston and his cast and crew had wrought.
Academic text (2002)
Synonyms
5
4.9
Not yet available for people to see or buy
1
3.7
Music or applause recorded earlier to use instead of live sound
Antonyms
How Finished
- Jargon
8
8.3
1
4.3
Surface Forms
Morphology
in + the + can
The phrase 'in the can' meaning 'finished and ready for release' cannot be reliably derived from the literal meanings of 'in' + 'the' + 'can' by a B1 learner; the sense is industry-specific jargon (from film canisters) rather than a straightforward spatial/compositional meaning. This historical/idiomatic extension is not transparently predictable and is therefore likely unfamiliar without prior exposure.
Etymology
The idiom in the can comes from early movie and sound work: after a scene was filmed, the film or tape was put into a metal can to keep it safe. So when something was 'in the can' it meant the work was 'finished' and 'ready for release'.