ADVERTISEMENT

Women have been collecting material for years. Every condescending comment, every unsolicited opinion, every "well actually" delivered by someone who did not do the reading. All of it filed away in a mental folder labeled "pending."

And then one day, in a boardroom or on a first date or at a family dinner that was already going sideways, the folder opens. What comes out is so precise and so devastating that the recipient spends the rest of the afternoon staring into the middle distance, trying to figure out what just happened to them.

In a now-viral video, a woman asked other ladies to share their most humbling clapbacks, and the replies are pure poetry. No venue was too public, no audience too large, and not a single one of these women hesitated for even a second. Pull up a chair. Class is in session.

#1

A man arguing with a woman holding her head. Women shut down creepy men with savage ways. when a men asked me "you're on your period or something?" I once responded with "why? you wanna see if we're in sync?" It got him so mad it was so entertaining.

pimpaljoentje , Timur Weber / Pexels Report

Lady Gypsy Rain
Community Member
Premium
2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This question should be listed as sêxûàł harassment in every workplace. It’s also a form of bullying

View more comments
RELATED:
    #2

    A wild wolf looking at the camera, symbolizing the savage ways women shut down creepy men. Uses the word Alpha “is that a furry thing?”

    Huffle , Benjamin Bryer / Pexels Report

    #3

    “What an odd thing to say” while slowly looking them up and down.

    Cheryl R Report

    A girl
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is gold. It's so polite but pointy.

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT

    The French have a phrase for the perfect comeback that arrives too late: l'esprit de l'escalier, or "the wit of the staircase." It describes that agony of thinking of exactly the right thing to say on the way out of the building, long after the moment has passed. It was first coined by French philosopher Denis Diderot in his work Paradoxe sur le Comédien.

    Diderot was attending a dinner party but was soon left speechless by an insulting remark. He had enough self-awareness to reflect on the moment, noting that a sensitive man, confused by an unexpected verbal strike, only regains his composure and thinks of a smart response once he has reached the bottom of the stairs, leaving.

    Luckily, the women in this thread did not have this problem. Not even slightly. Their responses arrived on time and on target.

    #4

    A woman and a man looking at a laptop, related to ways women shut down creepy men. My laptop crashed and my (male) work colleague said “must be a female it’s having a hissy fit”, to which i responded “yeah cos if it was male it would’ve started a war by now”

    eljwilliamss , Mikhail Nilov / Pexels Report

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It would shoot its family and then crash its own harddrive.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    A woman with her arms out and a surprised expression, symbolizing women shutting down creepy men. „just because you don‘t understand it doesn‘t mean it‘s complicated“

    nm200042 , Atlantic Ambience / Pexels / Pexels Report

    #6

    A man and a woman talking casually, demonstrating how women shut down creepy men. "name 5 song from this band" "name 5 women that trust you"

    🌛🌚🌝🌜 , https://www.pexels.com/photo/man-and-woman-talking-while-standing-8062300/ / Pexels Report

    Nizumi
    Community Member
    2 days ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And the list cannot include your mom or grandmother or Mrs. Henderson your first grade teacher

    View more comments

    Research consistently shows that women are interrupted in conversation more than men. Shocker! Studies have found that men interrupt women approximately 33% more often than they interrupt other men, and in professional settings the gap is even wider.

    This means that a big chunk of the borderline poetic material in this thread was delivered by women who had already been talked over, past, or down to before they even opened their mouths. These comebacks were corsecorrection.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    Two men smiling and cuddling on a grey couch. Women shut down creepy men with savage ways. when they say negative things about women i respond with "i hope you find the man of your dreams"

    pixellie , Gustavo Fring / Pexels Report

    ॐBoyGanesh
    Community Member
    2 days ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or try, “Not all gay men are as misogynistic as you, are they?”

    View more comments
    #8

    A man in a black hoodie with an angry expression, showing how women shut down creepy men. "Ooo we having some BIG emotions today?"

    rach 🦇 , cottonbro studio / Pexels Report

    [>.<]/
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you need a few minutes to calm down?

    View more comments
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #9

    Woman and child coloring together at a table. This image illustrates the savage ways women shut down creepy men. "I don’t have the patience nor the crayons to explain it to you"

    ᖭི༏ᖫྀElliesGuitarᖭི༏ᖫྀ , Wolrider YURTSEVEN / Pexels Report

    Nathaniel He/Him Cis-Het
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Appropriate for use against the bigots on here.

    View more comments

    Dorothy Parker, the writer and wit who dominated New York literary circles in the 1920s, is perhaps the most decorated clapback artist in recorded history. When her rival Clare Boothe Luce grandly gestured at a doorway and said, "Age before beauty," Parker glided past her and retorted, "Pearls before swine." Burn!

    ADVERTISEMENT

    When a man told her that he couldn't bear fools, she said: "How odd. Your mother could, apparently." Parker understood something that the women in this thread also understand instinctively: the best response to condescension is not anger. It is precision.

    #10

    The Thinker statue against a clear sky. Women shut down creepy men with savage ways. seen this one on here recently and it makes me laugh every time: "all quiet on the frontal lobe?"

    Taz , Charl Durand / Pexels Report

    #11

    A man's close-up face with wide eyes and a hand covering his mouth. Many women shut down creepy men. if you could change something about you, except the obvious, what would be?

    🍒Miri🍒 , Nothing Ahead / Pexels Report

    #12

    Woman in a black dress and sunglasses walking on a city street. This image illustrates the savage ways women shut down creepy men. If getting catcalled, I like to use “sorry I don’t have any change”

    ᖭི༏ᖫྀElliesGuitarᖭི༏ᖫྀ , César O'neill / Pexels Report

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    2 days ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    I never say anything to this, I just stop turn and look them up and down with a f k right off withering look shake my head sigh n walk off ,

    View more comments

    The psychology behind why a well-delivered clapback feels so satisfying is actually documented. Researchers describe it as a form of "face-threatening act," a social maneuver that simultaneously exposes the aggressor's behavior and demonstrates the target's composure and intelligence. Ironically, it is part of Politeness Theory, which these bold women luckily missed the memo on.

    The person on the receiving end of a perfect comeback doesn't just lose the argument. They lose status, in public, in real time, with no graceful exit available. The audience sees everything, and we have our popcorn ready.

    #13

    Anytime guys say something abt girls being emotional or they project insecurities or try to mask them in front of me i always say “its not my job to make you feel like a man”

    SidneyArmijo Report

    Sarah Matsoukis
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    We can't make them something they're not

    #14

    A contemplative woman looking away, with a serious expression, embodying the strength of women. “Yeah, I had the exact same problems when I was fifteen.”

    Le3menounquarto , Tiger Lily / Pexels Report

    #15

    He said “did you just hung up me?” I said “idk did it sound like this?” And hung up again

    piimamoor Report

    Sociologist Arlie Hochschild coined the term "emotional labor" in 1983 to describe the work of managing one's emotions as part of a job. This is when you are smiling through difficult interactions, absorbing rudeness without reacting, and performing patience in situations that don't deserve it.

    Research has consistently found that women are disproportionately expected to perform this labor in both professional and personal settings. The clapback is, in its own way, your way of going on strike. A decision to stop absorbing and start responding.

    Never miss a story that brings joy to the world. Follow on Google News

    #16

    A man in a red jacket standing atop a hill, with mountains and a cloudy sky in the background, showing confidence. Whatever makes you feel taller

    Bailey , Gavin Spear / Unsplash Report

    Khavrinen
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The white soles of his shoes, next to the clouds behind him, made me thing for a second he was floating or something.

    #17

    “does that usually work for you”

    marissa sawin Report

    #18

    A woman extending her hand to stop a man in a park. Women shut down creepy men with savage ways. When a guy says something positive about men I like throwing in a little “not all men”

    KAROLINA , Vera Arsic / Pexels Report

    Studies on assertiveness and gender have found that women who speak directly and confidently are frequently perceived as aggressive, whereas the same behavior in men is read as authoritative. This creates a situation where a woman can be too quiet and be ignored, or too direct and be penalized, with a very narrow band of acceptable behavior in between.

    The comeback navigates this by wrapping directness in wit, making the point so efficiently and entertainingly that the audience is laughing before anyone can decide whether they should be offended. It is, tactically speaking, a masterpiece of social navigation.

    #19

    A golden retriever on a leash with its tongue out. Women shut down creepy men with savage ways. when someone is disrespectful to you in front of other people ask them to repeat it. when they do, say "good boy"

    Emi 🫧 , Miguel Rivera / Pexels Report

    #20

    when a man tells me I'd be prettier if I smile I tell him you first and when he does you say good boy and walk away lol

    lizbeth Report

    David Paterson
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One answer to that that I heard. "You smile", and when he does say "Now hold it for eight hours".

    View more comments
    #21

    Two women laughing cheerfully, standing back-to-back in a green field, expressing joy and confidence. Looks like our periods synced

    Jays_life , Gülşah Aydoğan / Pexels Report

    Tina Fey wrote in her memoir Bossypants that the first rule of improv (and arguably of life) is to agree and then add something. "Yes, and." The clapbacks in this thread operate on a different but related principle. They take whatever has just been said, accept its premise, and then extend it to a devastating conclusion.

    In most cases, the person on the receiving end is left second-guessing their decision to start the conversation in the first place. It requires intelligence, timing, and a complete absence of the self-consciousness that usually gets in the way. The women in this thread had none of that self-consciousness, and it shows. Bravo!

    #22

    A young woman looking disgusted and wrinkling her nose. Many women impress others by shutting down creepy men. I like the classic “ew”

    paintscraps , krakenimages.com / Magnific Report

    Chrystina Sumpter
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or ick. I have found saying “ick,” staring for a moment and then walking away to be very effective.

    #23

    A person with sequins on their face, leaning against a mirror in a vibrant, neon-lit room, shutting down creepy men. ''Your ego is bigger than your biceps'' or ''calm down glitter boy''

    🫎🍁🍂 , Yan Krukau / Pexels Report

    Luke || Kira (he/she)
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I once told my classmate "We're gonna need two spots, for you and your ego". It was no hard feelings tho, he was a cool guy, just sometimes a bit self-important 😁

    #24

    “I wonder what you would do if you were a man for a day”

    Courtney Report

    What all of this research, history, and psychology is really pointing at is something quite simple. Women have always been funny and sharp. They have always had the material, the timing, and the intelligence to deliver something that stops a room.

    What has changed, incrementally and then all at once, is the willingness to actually use it. Women are using their material in public, on the record, fully aware that someone will post it online. The men in these stories walked into conversations expecting a certain response, and got none of that. These women are the heroes we need.

    Have you ever dealt a devastating blow? Or maybe you were on the receiving end and are brave enough to share it with us? Head to the comments and tell us more!

    #25

    A man looking distressed with his hands covering his face, in a scene about women who shut down creepy men. “Cry to your therapist, not me”

    xsoullxx , Timur Weber / Pexels Report

    #26

    A woman sitting on a stool, shrugging, illustrating situations where women shut down creepy men. For some reason “girl whatever” gets them heated

    •Maya• , Polina Zimmerman/ Pexels Report

    nottheactualphoto
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She's usually angry here on BP. I'm glad she's mellowed out.

    View more comments
    #27

    I know you tried your best, that’s the disappointing part.

    just.a.random.per92 Report

    #28

    “Whatever makes you feel big and strong”

    Natalka Report

    #29

    "ooh big feelings buddy". pro tip, I didn't even know until I met my husband that a lot of men really hate being called things like buddy. it seems obvious to me now but in case anyone wasn't tracking. it feels emasculating to them.

    Pepper Torsak Report

    Roberta Surprenant
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    On old cb radio with truckers a "good buddy" meant gay. Supposedly parking a certain way in truck stop was also a "signal". (1980-1990 era)

    View more comments
    #30

    So it’s true what they say about you? (Sends them spiralling)

    H a n n a h Report

    #31

    A person in a white wig and makeup holding a fan, depicting women shutting down creepy men. i love to call a man “diva” and double down if he has any reaction at all. like i’ll forget your name altogether if i see even a flinch, you’re now forever diva

    Alayna <3 , cottonbro studio / Pexels Report

    #32

    "dude are you making your voice deeper" always gets a rise out of men and is my personal favourite

    Camden Young Report

    #33

    Saying calm down will make them do the opposite lmfaooo

    _issi_issi_ Report

    #35

    A man juggling blue clubs against a light sky, showing an impressive skill. Many women shut down creepy men. "were you juggled as a baby?" is one of my favorites

    definitelyNOTtheNinja , Los Muertos Crew / Pexels Report

    Nicole Weymann
    Community Member
    1 day ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Aww, it's not your fault the changing table was so high and your parents were so clumsy"

    #36

    I personally enjoy screaming “HEY THANKS” when they say I’m cute. Or I laughed in this old guy’s face when he asked for a hug while I was serving him at work

    Ms. Kate Report

    #37

    “YOU’RE straight?!” Then, “mhm… there’s still time.” Offends every insecure man I’ve ever met.

    riley.luce Report

    #38

    Saying “that’s a big word for Elmo” when they talk

    Bird Report

    #39

    “And who set that system up?” Thank u to the queen who said this in that jubilee video, generational line truly

    shreyz Report

    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'generational line truly'? I know the meaning of each of those words, but randomly thrown together like that they make no sense whatsoever.

    View more comments
    #40

    I’ve started laughing in their face and turning and talking to another female and saying “sorry about that. I’m not sure what that was”

    Hannahhhhh Report

    #41

    Acting more like a princess than I am

    ⋆Karla⋆ Report

    #42

    “ ughh i hate emotional people “ or “ why am i making you soo emotional?? “. I literally love just walking away while they’re talking. “ I just feel bad for you”

    🩸 🦇 Cheyenne 🦇 🩸 Report

    #43

    “Love your pixie cut” 🥰 When they come back from the barber.

    JaimeeTyrell Report

    #44

    “What sport would you do if you were athletic”

    isa.crissien Report

    #45

    “get off that pedestal you think your on”

    am4ya.aa Report

    #46

    "You're behaving like a man" watch and learn

    🪐𝑅𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑎🪐 Report

    #47

    “calm down girly” is my fav ngl

    emi Report

    #48

    A man with long hair and under-eye patches smiling at his reflection in a mirror. Women shut down creepy men. your glow up is gonna go crazy

    Raisa , Antoni Shkraba / Pexels Report

    #49

    “aw seems our cycles have synced.”

    cassgrace Report

    #50

    “Sometimes we can’t have nice things when we don’t take care of them” when they’re being lazy with us

    Meg Report

    Charlotte
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Dunno about this. I don't need taking care of and I certainly don't consider myself a thing someone can have. Something along the lines of people not sticking around if you act inconsiderately towards them seems more appropriate.

    #51

    "You need to relax"

    Nora Rudzīte Report

    #52

    Man with blonde hair and beard looking in a mirror. This image illustrates the savage ways women shut down creepy men. “im not listening to a man who has about 2 haircuts left to his name”

    Casey 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏁🏎️🧡 , Mesut çiçen / Unsplash Report

    Jeolas1
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm not a fan of insulting people's physical attributes, even of rude people, except if by insulting their pyhsical attributes you are responding to them insulting yours.

    View more comments
    #53

    the classic. "who?" and then mid sentence when they are explaining, say "cares" be careful though it works so well I had 2 men try and hit me over it.

    hybrid Report

    Charlotte
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Talking over someone explaining when you asked them to explain seems rude

    View more comments
    #54

    brings up Tolkien or ASOIAF "have you even read the books?" no I just like the TikTok edits 🥺🥺🥺 it pisses them off so bad

    #1 Lyonel Baratheon Simp Report

    #55

    Soldier in a camouflage helmet and uniform holding a rifle in a forest. This image illustrates the savage ways women shut down creepy men. I once told a man “god I miss when men would go to war and die there”

    itzjustkris028 , GMB VISUALS / Pexels Report

    Apatheist
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Charming. That's not a clap back, just a horrible thought.

    View more comments
    #56

    A father and son standing by a tree, looking at the camera, showing a bond. ‘Absent mother?’

    Kayleigh🌙 , Luis Quintero / Pexels Report

    Crystalwitch60
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is sick it’s bad enough when men use the mother insults but this one thrown back wow just NO !!

    #57

    A man looking down at his watch, illustrating ways women shut down creepy men. "nice bracelet" but it's their watch

    Jac , Salim L'hermite Pas Net / Pexels Report

    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one doesn't really work because watch straps are also called bracelets.

    View more comments
    #58

    A smiling woman in a red dress opening a door, representing the empowerment of women who shut down creepy men. not a response but love opening doors for dudes and saying “ladies first!”

    img 🤸‍♂️ , RDNE Stock project / Pexels Report

    #59

    “If I’m taller than you in heels lower your voice”

    Un_ironicmom Report

    #60

    "you have the confidence of a much taller man" is my go to

    steve🕷️ Report

    Charlotte
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is with the height obsession? Am I really supposed to care that my husband is 5'10 and not 6'? I honestly don't get it

    View more comments
    #61

    Woman in boxing gloves in a boxing ring. This image illustrates the savage ways women shut down creepy men. I just hit them

    Ava anton , Annushka Ahuja / Pexels Report

    David Paterson
    Community Member
    2 days ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've been on the receiving end of that. It works.

    View more comments
    #62

    “i’m allergic to shrimp”

    skai⭐️ Report

    Charlotte
    Community Member
    2 days ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think I'm missing something - men are shrimp?

    View more comments
    #63

    I like to use my finger and swipe up like i’m scrolling my FYP when my boyfriend talks and it’s boring x

    Owen Journaling ✍🏼 Report