The TikTok world is constantly on the go— it may even be suffering from insomnia. If there’s one thing you can expect from TikTok, it’s the fact that every time it seems like you’ve seen it all, the platform has another meme that becomes predominant in your FYP quicker than you may think. The latest viral meme is the “I Understand It Now” meme on TikTok showing how sometimes non-scripted life events turn into viral meme material. Who else can take a missed basketball shot, add some fun to it, and end up giving us a variety of memes to enjoy?
This hilarious meme gained traction when a famous TikToker kept repeating the phrase in his videos. So what’s the deal? Where did the meme come from? And why can’t we stop quoting it, even when it is evident that we have no slightest idea of what we are saying? We are here to answer all those questions for you. So let’s get going—because by the end of this—you’ll either be giggling or saying—“I understand it now.” (or maybe both).
The origin story
The meme has been linked to a video from Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews, a famous TikToker who is popular for his basketball trick-shooting videos. On June 6, 2024, Matthews posted a video of himself trying to shoot a ball through a spiked basketball rim. It begins with the moment when Matthews fails to score a shot and says the phrase “I understand it now.” In the next shot, he shoots the ball through the basket perfectly.
This casually uttered phrase in a moment of epiphany impressed the viewers with many finding it hilarious. The video has received over 18 million views and 2.5 million likes in five months turning “I understand it now” into a meme. Since then, Matthews has used the catchphrase in many of his videos adding to the popularity of the meme.
Why is it so relatable?
At its core, “I understand it now” captures a universal experience: the comedic moment prompted by failure or effort exertion. It is the sort of annoying, exasperating phrase that defines that Eureka moment – the moment you decide you understand how something works or it’s time to just fake that you do.
The meme’s evolution
In no time at all, the meme crossed the basketball as some users took to X to share the many scenarios the meme can fit in.
This meme even mirrors another popular internet phrase: “lock in,” which means to focus intensely or get completely serious about something.
Community engagement
This simple confession has become exceptional because of how it has evolved into a shared source of humor and relatability. Many have even started a trend that was of sarcastically commenting “I don’t understand” on some of the posts and then replying with “I understand it now”.
Even Chris Matthews himself started sliding into comments sections with the phrase, further accelerating its popularity on TikTok.
Trending
Do you understand it now?
Whether you are conquering a tough shot, reflecting on your recent embarrassing mistake or even enjoying a hearty laugh amid life’s craziness, the “I understand it now” meme is here to stay. And as TikTok’s creative community keeps coming up with new twists on this meme, we the viewers, will get to laugh and be entertained.
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