GTFO Meaning

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What does GTFO mean?

GTFO means Get The F*ck Out.

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GTFO Meaning
Find out what GTFO means and how it is used.

GTFO is an initialism that stands for “get the f*ck out”. While GTFO is often used to tell someone (in a not-so-pleasant way) to go away, it can also be used to express surprise and disbelief.

Where is GTFO used?

The term is used on pretty much any social network, website or medium where people can have conversations with each other.

GTFO is used on the follow platforms and places:

  • texting
  • online conversation
  • Discord
  • Facebook
  • Facebook Messenger
  • Instagram
  • Reddit
  • TikTok
  • Tumblr
  • Twitch
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
An example of the initialism GTFO in a text message.
An example of the initialism GTFO in a text message.

How is GTFO used?

GTFO can be used in two different ways: to tell someone to go away, or to express surprise, shock or disbelief.

For instance, let’s say you’re trying to sell a used PlayStation. Your original price was $200, but someone offers you $50 and they tell you “that’s the highest anyone will pay” for it. You might respond by saying “GTFO” because it’s an annoying lowball offer that isn’t worthy of your consideration.

Another example: your friend is having a baby. They’ve talked for years about how they wanted to have a girl, and now they finally found out they’re having a girl! You might say something like “GTFO! No way! I’m so happy for you!”.

Do people say GTFO out loud?

No, people typically say the actual words “get the f*ck out” or something similar like “no way” or “get outta' here” or “f*ck off”.

Example Uses of GTFO

On online conversation:
Why are you even talking to me! I'm better than you! GTFO!

Someone is angry that a lesser person is trying to talk to him.

On online conversation:
GTFO, you have no idea what you're talking about!

Someone responds to a forum post offering bad advice.

On Facebook:

A disclaimer on a Facebook post to prevent insulting comments.

In a text message:
No way! You bought the house? GTFO!

Someone is in disbelief that their friend bought a house.

On Twitter:

Someone can't believe that some guy would do something! Wow!

Who uses GTFO?

GTFO seems to be used by people who grew up using the internet from around 2000-2010. This was a time when more and more teens were beginning to use the internet and when content moderation was less strict.

History of GTFO

First Use

We’re not sure when exactly GTFO was first used, but it was first defined on Urban Dictionary in 2002.

Data from Google Trends showing the popularity of searches for GTFO.
Data from Google Trends showing the popularity of searches for GTFO.

Rise in Popularity

According to Google Trends, searches for the term grew steadily from around 2005 until 2012 when they began to decline. In 2019, a video game called GTFO was released, which may explain the recent up-tick in searches.

What was used before GTFO?

We are unaware of any specific slang terms that were replaced by GTFO; we suspect people just used words to say things like “get the f*ck out”.