Noun
A humorous phrase used online after someone experiences an embarrassing, regrettable, or
cringe-worthy moment. It refers to the famous quote, “We forget a thousand things every
day. Make sure this is one of them,” implying that the best course of action is to simply move on and pretend it never happened.
The term is often used ironically, treating the quote as if it were a life philosophy or “mantra” for surviving second-hand embarrassment, social blunders, or personal regrets.
Origin:
Named after Michael De
Santa from Grand Theft Auto
V, whose quote has become a widely recognized
internet response whenever someone shares a mistake they’d rather everyone forget.
Example 1:
Person A: “I accidentally called my teacher ‘Mom’ in front of the whole class.”
Person B: “De
Santa Mantra. 🥀”
Example 2:
Post: “I just sent my boss a meme instead of the report.”
Top comment: “We forget a thousand things every
day. Make sure this is one of them.”
Example 3:
Friend: “I waved back at someone who wasn’t waving at me.”
Reply: “Time for the De
Santa Mantra 🥀.”