spoiler alert
- noun
- /ˈspɔɪlər əˈlɜrt/
- Texting
- The article included a spoiler alert at the beginning to warn readers about the major plot twists.
- a major spoiler alert
It said, spoiler alert, we all die in the end.
- It said, spoiler alert, we all die in the end.
- Well, spoiler alert, they lost the game.
- And you know, spoiler alert, but Dathan Larson's dead.
- Now, spoiler alert, the one is actually you.
- I fell asleep and spoiler alert I woke up and Daenerys was dead.
- OK, well, I had to check if it tasted OK, And spoiler alert, it didn't.
- And indeed, spoiler alert, we will all die.
- I can't believe and spoiler alert, we found it.
- And then spoiler alert, everything's fine.
- We think Matt is dead, so we leave him behind, and then, spoiler alert, he's not dead.
- And spoiler alert, the answer is no.
- But spoiler alert, that's not actually the interesting thing about this product.
- Oh yeah, spoiler alert, I lost not only the election but my case anyway.
Examples
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Before discussing the finale, please give a spoiler alert so others know to be careful.
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SPOILER ALERT: The big round green thing wins by default.
Blog text (11) -
And I love the idea of a spoiler alert option.
Blog text (20) -
Sarah: Spoiler alert: it's not going to happen.
Blog text (27) -
Spoiler alert: she did NOT end up being the mother.
Blog text (22) -
Spoiler alert... the boat sinks.
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SPOILER ALERT: If you don't want to know any details about the plot or casting, stop reading now.
Blog text (11) -
I always check for a spoiler alert before reading reviews of movies I haven't seen yet.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a direct composition of 'spoiler' (information or a person that reveals plot details) and 'alert' (a warning), so a learner who knows both constituents can readily infer it signals a warning about spoilers. This is a conventionalized but fully compositional collocation found in many languages and contexts, making its meaning transparent to B1 learners who know the words.
Etymology
Spoiler alert comes from the idea of a short warning before someone gives away a story: a spoiler is something that will 'spoil' or ruin the surprise, and an alert is a warning sign. So saying spoiler alert tells people the ending or important parts are about to be told, and they should look away if they want the surprise to stay.