About
I understand now is a slogan said by TikTok influencer Lethal Shooter who achieved virality TikTok end of 2024. The phrase is often used as a spam comment and is also accompanied by humorous messages about being able to aim correctly, following similar usage as the “lock up“internet slang.
Origin
On June 6, 2024, TikTok influencer Chris “Lethal Shooter” Matthews, @lethalshooter, posted a video showing off his shooting skills with a basketball, adding point guards to the rim (see below). When he missed one of his initial shots, Matthews said “I understand now” and proceeded to shoot the ball without hitting the point guards. The video was played more than 17 million times and liked 2.5 million times in five months.
@lethalshooter Double rim was too easy!! I added the POINT GUARD!! -Stay locked in! – #NBA #Viral #Basketball #NBA #RedBull #deadlyshooter ♬ original sound – Lethal Shooter
Spread
The Lethal Shooter catchphrase became viral in early November 2024, when TikTokers started adding the phrase to comedic content about flirting, playing games, or other daily situations that require concentration. For example, on November 5, 2024, TikTok user @qu2ncy posted a video of himself pretending to shoot a ball, with the caption: “If you miss your first shot on Fine Shyt, but you get it now.” The video received more than 4 million plays and 891,000 likes in one day.
@qu2ncy I understand now #fypシ #abcxyz #foryoupage #viral ♬ original sound – ClipzOverdue
On the same day, TikTok user @huncho619 posted a comedy sketch video in which he starred Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zeroadding the phrase “I understand now” to the video (seen below), which was played more than 50,000 times in one day and received 9,800 likes.
@huncho619 #deadlyshooter #iunderstandnow #ultrainstinct #goku #huncho619 #nba #basketball ♬ original sound – HUNCHO
Various examples
@kuime_ I understand now | @LethalShooter | #deadlyshooter #basketball #edit #shooter #fyp #viral ♬ original sound – kai
@realstepz #fyp #funny #recognizable ♬ original sound – Stepz