join the club

INFORMAL
This page is about the conversational phrase join the club

Meaning

You can say this when someone's having an unpleasant experience that you're also having, or have had.

For example

  • "I haven't been sleeping well lately."
    "Join the club! It takes me ages to drop off these days."

  • "I just told my father I'm gay, and he won't speak to me anymore."
    "Join the club. Mine hasn't spoken to me for years."

Quick Quiz

After Simon lost his job, I said "Join the club!" because

a. I still had my job

b. I'd also lost my job

c. he had more time
a) I still had my job b) I'd also lost my job c) he had more time

Contributor: Matt Errey