Trying to explain Meme Template
The Trying To Explain template depicts someone in the act of patiently or desperately attempting to make a concept clear to an audience that simply does not get it, used to capture the exhaustion of explaining something obvious, nuanced, or technical to someone who refuses to understand. It resonates with experts, teachers, and anyone who has ever argued on the internet.
Caption this template- Category
- Situation Meme Templates
- Size
- 900 x 682 px
- Format
- Image
- Price
- Free, no sign up
Where the Trying to explain meme comes from
The format draws from a recognizable image or scene of a person mid-explanation with visible exasperation, which spread as a reaction image across Reddit, Twitter, and image macro communities. It became a go-to template for captioning the specific frustration of expertise meeting willful ignorance.
How to caption the Trying to explain meme
Label the explainer as yourself or a specific knowledgeable party and caption what they are trying to convey in contrast to what the audience continues to believe regardless. Works especially well when the misunderstanding being depicted is a genuinely common one that will resonate with anyone in the relevant field. Open it in the meme generator, or read how to make relatable memes for more.
Trying to explain caption ideas
Need a starting point? Try one of these on the Trying to explain template, then make it your own in the meme generator.
- Me trying to explain to my parents why I can't just 'call the company and ask for a job'
- Explaining to my non-gamer friend why I was screaming at 2am over a ranked match
- Me telling my manager why the 'small change' will take two weeks
- Trying to explain to my cat why she can't eat the houseplant
- Me explaining for the fifth time why we don't need another group chat
Best uses for the Trying to explain template
Use the Trying to explain template when the joke fits a situation format and the image can explain the feeling before the reader finishes the caption. It is strongest for relatable everyday moments, before-and-after jokes, and social observations.
This blank is 900 x 682 px and is a still image, so place the most important words where they stay readable after a feed crop. The wide frame works best when the caption stays centered so timeline crops do not cut off the joke.
The sample captions leave room for a setup and a punchline without turning into a paragraph. Before exporting, read the caption once without looking at the image; if it still needs a long explanation, switch to a simpler setup or a more obvious related template.
Caption patterns to try
| Pattern | Why it works |
|---|---|
| Me trying to explain to my parents why I can't just 'call the company and ask for a job' | This works because it gives the reader a specific situation instead of a vague label. |
| Explaining to my non-gamer friend why I was screaming at 2am over a ranked match | This pattern keeps the setup concrete, which helps the template carry the reaction. |
| Me telling my manager why the 'small change' will take two weeks | This is a useful direction when you want the punchline to feel personal or self-aware. |
Common mistakes with this blank
- Writing a caption that explains the whole joke instead of letting the Trying to explain image do part of the work.
- Placing text over the most expressive part of the image, especially faces, gestures, signs, or the main action.
- Using three different ideas in one meme. This template works better when it points at one clear situation.
- Exporting before checking the meme at phone size. If the smallest words blur together, shorten the caption first.
