IBTL

"In Before The Lock": An abbreviation posted to a thread on a web-based forum when the poster knows that any rational debate has long since been abandoned, and will shortly be locked by the forum administrator.

Original poster: Welfare is bad!
Second poster: Oh yeah? Well, you're a nazi!
Original poster: Oh yeah? Well, you're an idiot!
Third poster: IBTL!
Admin: I'm locking this thread. Nothing to see here, move along.

IBTL by Steve T August 19, 2003

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IBTL

In Before The Lock - threads with no content are locked. some, however, manage to post before the admin sees the thread and post comments like IBTL

Oritinal thread content: blah blah blah!

Reply: wtf?
IBTL!

IBTL by angrysand July 22, 2003

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IBTL

"I Beat The Lock": IBTL is an acronym used on an internet forum when a poster has judged a thread to be due for locking by an administrator due to off-topic or offensive content. Use of IBTL is a declaration that the user has "won a race" versus the forum administrator, who is about to close the thread.

Original Poster: Hello, I have a wonderful real estate venture for you - a fine bridge spanning the water between Manhattan and Brooklyn!
Second Poster: OMG this is such a scam!
Original Poster: No, I swear this is real! All I need is your bank account number for verification!
Third Poster: scam. IBTL
Fourth Poster: IBTL
Administrator: thread locked.

IBTL by Paolomania May 18, 2005