The phrase “the rabbit got me” on TikTok and social media generally means that a person’s life was unexpectedly turned upside down by a event or realization—often heartbreak, a breakup, or a major life change—much like Alice is pulled into a new world by the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland. It’s used as a metaphor for time catching up with someone or an unforeseen turn that disrupts happiness or plans.
Key ideas behind the expression
- Metaphor for time and change: The White Rabbit symbolizes urgency, time running out, and being pulled into something new, which people apply to real-life moments when circumstances shift suddenly.
- Common contexts: Breakups or looming heartbreak, but also any pivotal life moment that changes the course of a relationship or personal plans. Some posts describe it as a moment when happiness is interrupted by an unexpected event.
- Social and coping aspects: The trend provides a way for people to reflect on or share personal experiences publicly, sometimes serving as a coping mechanism or a way to connect with others who’ve had similar shocks.
Notes on related variations
- In some videos, the rabbit is linked to loss or tragedy that interrupts pregnancy, a relationship, or other significant life events, reinforcing the idea that time or fortune shifted in an instant.
- The symbol draws on broader Alice in Wonderland associations—time pressure, disruption, and entering an unfamiliar or chaotic phase. This grounding helps people project their own experiences onto the metaphor.
If you’d like, I can tailor this explanation to a specific context (for example, a breakup, a career change, or another life event) or provide examples of how people phrase their captions using the metaphor.
