I. What Is Turn Down For What?

Though the phrase “turn down for what” has become a popular meme, some may be asking, “What is turn down for what?” Those familiar with the term are aware that it is used to express excitement and/or enthusiasm in situations that range from partying, to sports, and music. The phrase is often shouted during events or activities to encourage those involved to keep going and increase the energy of the situation.

At its most basic level, “turn down for what” is a phrase that means “no need to stop what you’re doing because it’s so fun and enjoyable.” It can also be used as a phrase of validation as a way of saying, “this is so much fun, it would be a shame to quit now.”

II. How Has “Turn Down For What” Become Popular?

Though “turn down for what” has been used since the early 2000s, it only became a widespread trend in 2013. This was due largely in part to the release of the song “Turn Down for What” by DJ Snake and Lil Jon, as well as its accompanying music video which quickly went viral and racked up over 600 million views on YouTube.

The song popularized “turn down for what” as a phrase of encouragement and hype, and was embraced by various athletes, artists, and social media personalities who used it to galvanize their followers. From there, it became a popular meme with users remixing their own videos and images that represented the phrase. This further increased its notoriety, eventually leading to it being used in contexts outside of the internet, frequently appearing in sports events, parties, and nightlife activities.

III. When Can “Turn Down For What” Be Used?

The phrase “turn down for what” is most commonly used in situations that involve energy, enthusiasm, and having a good time. It’s a phrase of validation and encouragement, used to help make an activity or event more exciting and enjoyable. As such, it often appears in sports chants and at parties and clubbing events.

Though “turn down for what” can be used in any situation to demonstrate excitement, it’s important to be aware of the context when using the phrase. This is because for some, the phrase can come off as an attempt to pressure someone into doing something that they may not be comfortable with. It’s important to make sure that everyone involved is on the same page when using “turn down for what” and that no one feel intimidated or obligated to participate in an activity they don’t want to.