the plot thickens

phrase

the plot thickens

phrase

Etymology From the satirical play The Rehearsal. First attested in 1671.

1

Humorous, Idiomatic, Often Used to describe an increasingly complex or mysterious situation.

BAYES. Lo' you now, there he's off again. JOHNS. Admirably done i'faith. BAYES. Ay, now the Plot thickens very much upon us.1672 George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, The Rehearsal, Act III Scene ii
Y. Book. Well said, Lad—and as Mr. Bays says, now the Plot thickens upon us, we'll spend our time as gaily as the best of 'em—and all of it in Love …1703–4 Richard Steele The Lying Lover: Or, the Ladies Friendship Act II Scene i

1 more example

"His statement is wholly false," was our hero’s reply. "It was his miserable villainy that deprived me of my liberty, and kept me away from my work." Mr. Goldwin looked puzzled. "The plot thickens," said he. "Give me your story."1888, Frank Munsey, chapter XX, in The Boy Broker; Among the Kings of Wall Street, page 143:

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