A phenomenon that occurs when you're stopped in your tracks or cease to do something that you used to: popularised in today's culture by Skyrim with the famous phrase "I used to be an adventurer like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee." iterated by guards that pop up in the game. Since Skyrim's release it has found popular use around the interweb, having been parodied thousands of times in youtube videos and comments it has become a meme. The phrase can be applied to any everyday situation by "I used to .... but then I took an arrow to the knee"
by hugphenson December 4, 2011
In Nordic/Scandinavian countries, "taking an arrow to the knee" meant that you are getting married/already got married. It refers to when we propose, we fall to one knee, comparing it to when a man gets shot in the leg, he, of course, falls to one knee.
Like most definitions already posted the most popular example comes from Skyrim: "I used to be an adventurer like you, but then I took an arrow to the knee". The guards are married, and can't go out adventurer, not crippled.
by Researchbot August 12, 2015
Incorrect term used by many when trying to sound like they play Skyrim. The correct phrase is Arrow IN the knee. IN THE KNEE.
by Frank1777 January 21, 2012
A phenomenon that occurs when you're stopped in your tracks or cease to do something that you used to: popularised in today's culture by Skyrim with the famous phrase "I used to be an adventurer like you, but then I took an arrow in the knee." iterated by guards that pop up in the game. Since Skyrim's release it has found popular use around the interweb, having been parodied thousands of times in youtube videos and comments it has become a meme.
The phrase has actually been misinterpreted, the original is " in the knee" and not "to the knee", but since the majority says "to the knee", that's how the phrase is used.
The phrase can be applied to any everyday situation by "I used to .... but then I took an arrow to the knee"
The phrase has actually been misinterpreted, the original is " in the knee" and not "to the knee", but since the majority says "to the knee", that's how the phrase is used.
The phrase can be applied to any everyday situation by "I used to .... but then I took an arrow to the knee"
by GustavusAdolphus April 10, 2016
“I Took an Arrow in the Knee” is a memorable quote originating from the role-playing video game The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. An often repeated stock line throughout the game, it went on to inspire the snowclone “I used to X, then I took an arrow to the knee.”
Largely owing to the positive reception of Skyrim, “I Took An Arrow To The Knee” eventually became perceived as a hyper-saturated cliche, similar to “The Cake Is A Lie” from the puzzle action game Portal. In response to the indiscriminate usage of the phrase, some fans of the game began posting satirical animations and image macros criticizing its hackneyed nature.
It is also argued that Taking an arrow in the knee is a Nordic saying meaning "Getting married." Thus, "I used to be an adventurer like you...then I took an arrow in the knee," actually means that getting married ended his adventuring career.
Largely owing to the positive reception of Skyrim, “I Took An Arrow To The Knee” eventually became perceived as a hyper-saturated cliche, similar to “The Cake Is A Lie” from the puzzle action game Portal. In response to the indiscriminate usage of the phrase, some fans of the game began posting satirical animations and image macros criticizing its hackneyed nature.
It is also argued that Taking an arrow in the knee is a Nordic saying meaning "Getting married." Thus, "I used to be an adventurer like you...then I took an arrow in the knee," actually means that getting married ended his adventuring career.
I used to be an adventurer like you...then I took an arrow in the knee.
I used to be an adventurer like you...then I got married.
I used to be an adventurer like you...then I got married.
by Cespanar June 22, 2013
The only prerequisite for becoming a guard in the land of Skyrim. It doesn't matter on what your previous occupation was, if you took a arrow in the knee then you got the job.
The job requires you to guard the town and inform everyone you meet that you took a arrow in the knee.
The job requires you to guard the town and inform everyone you meet that you took a arrow in the knee.
by Raptor Jewsus January 2, 2012
An overused joke/reference to Skyrim. It goes by: "I used to do/be/have/etc. a <whatever you used to do/be/have/etc>, but then I took an arrow to the knee."
Most of the time, it it completely unrelated and makes you look like an idiot.
Most of the time, it it completely unrelated and makes you look like an idiot.
1. I used to have a house, but I took an arrow to the knee.
2. I used to write "arrow to the knee jokes", but I took an arrow to the knee.
2. I used to write "arrow to the knee jokes", but I took an arrow to the knee.
by AwesomeGuy123456 December 31, 2011