ass pull
Convenient plot invention
An ass pull is something, typically a plot development or explanation, that appears to come from nowhere with no prior setup or logical foundation—as if the writer pulled it out of their ass.
The term is common in discussions of fiction, gaming, and debate, where it criticizes lazy storytelling or weak argumentation.
That twist ending was a total ass pull.
He won the argument with a complete ass pull of a statistic.
- contrivanceClever invention or scheme
- out of nowhereWithout apparent origin
- handwaveDismissive evasion of explanation
- guessworkConclusions drawn without proof
- asspullUnjustified sudden story solution
wild card · lampshading · improvisation · deus ex machina · plot hole · retcon · jumped the shark · non sequitur · winging it · making it up · cop-out · cheap trick · invention · MacGuffin · suspension of disbelief · last minute save · plot armor · red herring
ass pullforeshadowing
Hinting at later events
Chekhov's gun · callback · breadcrumb · telegraphed · hinted at
ass pullwell-founded
Having sound basis
justified · earned · substantiated · grounded · plausible