My haircut looks fabulous, my hairdresser really understood the assignment.

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In 2021, the slang phrase "understood the assignment" gained popularity shortly after Tay Money released the song "The Assignment." The song went viral on TikTok and other social media platforms, especially with the lyrics, “Damn Tay, you killed this; I understood the assignment.” People began to film themselves to those lyrics, showcasing moments when they felt they were excelling at a specific task. The phrase quickly became part of Gen-Z vocabulary, used in contexts such as fashion, makeup, food recipes, or any scenario where one would praise themselves or another for doing an exceptional job. It encapsulates the idea of not just completing a task but doing so with outstanding skill. For example, a celebrity praised for their stunning look at the Met Gala might compliment their stylist by saying they “understood the assignment.” Similarly, a chef whose dish turns out perfectly might use the phrase to highlight their culinary success.