you killed it i understood the assignment

• Today's news
• Reviews and deals
• Climate change
• 2024 election
• Fall allergies
• Health news
• Mental health
• Sexual health
• Family health
• So mini ways
• Unapologetically
• Buying guides

Entertainment

• How to Watch
• My watchlist
• Stock market
• Biden economy
• Personal finance
• Stocks: most active
• Stocks: gainers
• Stocks: losers
• Trending tickers
• World indices
• US Treasury bonds
• Top mutual funds
• Highest open interest
• Highest implied volatility
• Currency converter
• Basic materials
• Communication services
• Consumer cyclical
• Consumer defensive
• Financial services
• Industrials
• Real estate
• Mutual funds
• Credit cards
• Balance transfer cards
• Cash back cards
• Rewards cards
• Travel cards
• Online checking
• High-yield savings
• Money market
• Home equity loan
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Options pit
• Fantasy football
• Pro Pick 'Em
• College Pick 'Em
• Fantasy baseball
• Fantasy hockey
• Fantasy basketball
• Download the app
• Daily fantasy
• Scores and schedules
• GameChannel
• World Baseball Classic
• Premier League
• CONCACAF League
• Champions League
• Motorsports
• Horse racing
• Newsletters

New on Yahoo

• Privacy Dashboard

TikTok explores what it truly means to 'understand the assignment'

You've probably seen the phrase "understood the assignment" used to death on social media. Here's why everyone is saying it. The slang term is a popular way to praise someone who is going above and beyond to do a good job. According to Urban Dictionary, "understood the assignment" means, "a phrase used when someone is giving it 110% ... Whether it’s what they’re doing, what they’re wearing, someone who is really on top of their s***" . In the Twitter trend, users pay tribute to their favorite actors and actresses who've been able to pull off a slew of eclectic roles. TikTok tends to go along with Urban Dictionary's definition, rather than focusing on celebrities

Recommended Stories

Dolphins owner stephen ross reportedly declined $10 billion for team, stadium and f1 race.

The value of the Dolphins and Formula One racing is enormous.

Oleksandr Usyk defeats Tyson Fury by split decision to become first undisputed heavyweight champion in 24 years

Boxing hadn't had an undisputed heavyweight king since 2000.

PGA Championship: Will Zalatoris says group of players considered asking for postponement after death, Scottie Scheffler arrest

It was a surreal day at the PGA Championship.

Preakness Stakes 2024 winner, payouts, results: Seize the Grey wins at Pimlico, Mystik Dan finishes 2nd, ending Triple Crown bid

Live updates from the 149th Preakness Stakes at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore

The top RBs for 2024 fantasy football, according to our experts

The Yahoo Fantasy football analysts reveal their first running back rankings for the 2024 NFL season.

2024 NBA Mock Draft 7.0: Who will the Hawks take at No. 1? Our projections for every pick with lottery order now set

With the lottery order set, here's a look at Yahoo Sports' projections for both rounds of the 2024 NBA Draft.

NBA Draft Combine reactions: Edey oh my, Bronny James is ready & whose stock is rising? | On the Clock with Krysten Peek

Yahoo Sports NBA draft expert Krysten Peek is back for another season of On the Clock with Krysten Peek. Krysten just spent the week in Chicago at the NBA Draft Combine and kicks off draft season joined by CBS Sports' Kyle Boone.

Caitlin Clark, Fever facing plenty of growing pains early after another blowout loss in home debut

The atmosphere was electric for Clark's home debut and there were brief flashes from the Fever, but it's clear they've got plenty to work on before they can compete with the WNBA's elite teams.

Apple will reportedly offer higher trade-in credit for old iPhones for the next two weeks

According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple will be offering a little more than usual for some trade-ins starting next week in the US and Canada. That's as long as you're getting one of the iPhone 15 models.

Indy 500 qualifying: Kyle Larson locks into the field; Rinus Veekay recovers from early crash to get into top 12

Kyle Larson not only qualified for the 1008th running of the Indianapolis 500, he’ll start in one of the first four rows.

Understood the Assignment Meaning: What Does the Phrase Mean?

If you’re a regular user of social media, you might have come across the phrase “understood the assignment” in recent times. The phrase has gained a lot of popularity on Twitter, TikTok, and other social media platforms, and it is often used to acknowledge someone who has done an exceptional job or exceeded expectations. In this article, we’ll explore the understood the assignment meaning and how it has become a popular phrase on social media.

Understood the Assignment Meaning

What Does Understood the Assignment Mean?

“Understood the Assignment” is a slang phrase that gained popularity in 2021, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. The phrase is used to acknowledge someone who has done an exceptional job or exceeded expectations. It is often used in the context of school assignments or work projects, where individuals are expected to complete a task or meet a certain standard.

The phrase implies that the person has not only completed the task at hand but has done so in a way that demonstrates a deep understanding of the requirements and expectations. The phrase has since become a popular hashtag and is commonly used in text messages, social media posts, and online chat rooms to express admiration or approval of someone’s work or performance.

Origin of ‘Understood the Assignment’ Phrase

If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the phrase “understood the assignment” being used quite frequently. But where did this phrase come from, and why has it become so popular?

The phrase “understood the assignment” originated from the American rapper Tay Money’s song “The Assignment,” which was released in 2021. In the song, Tay Money raps, “Tay, you killed this. I understood the assignment.” The phrase quickly caught on and became a popular way to express praise or criticism in slang.

Since then, the phrase has been used in various contexts, from school assignments to fashion choices. It’s often used to acknowledge someone’s efforts or accomplishments, particularly when they’ve gone above and beyond what was expected of them.

On Twitter, the phrase has also been associated with a specific meme. The meme features a picture of a woman wearing a white shirt and black pants, with the phrase “understood the assignment” written across the bottom. The meme is often used to mock people who have failed to meet expectations or who have made a mistake.

Popularity and Usage in Social Media

If you’re active on social media, you’ve probably seen the phrase “understood the assignment” being used quite frequently. It has become a popular slang expression to convey praise or criticism. The phrase has been in use since at least 2015, but it gained mainstream popularity in 2021 when it started trending on TikTok and Twitter.

The phrase is used to acknowledge someone who has done an exceptional job or exceeded expectations. It’s pretty much like giving someone an “A+” or stamping something with your seal of approval. For example, if a celebrity shows up to an event in an outfit that perfectly matches the theme, you might say they “understood the assignment.”

The phrase has become so popular that it has even been used by big brands like McDonald’s and Starbucks in their social media campaigns. McDonald’s used the phrase in a tweet to promote their BTS meal, and Starbucks used it to promote their new line of summer drinks. This shows how the phrase has become a part of popular culture and is being used by people from all walks of life.

The phrase has also become a meme, with people using it to make jokes or sarcastic comments. For example, if someone does something completely unrelated to what they were supposed to do, you might say they “didn’t understand the assignment.” This shows how the phrase has evolved and taken on a life of its own in the world of social media.

Examples of ‘Understood the Assignment’

When someone says “understood the assignment,” they are acknowledging that someone has done an exceptional job or exceeded expectations. Here are some examples of how this phrase can be used:

• A student might say, “I understood the assignment and got an A on the paper.”
• A coach might say, “The team really understood the assignment and executed the game plan perfectly.”
• A designer might say, “The client loved the final product because we really understood the assignment and delivered exactly what they wanted.”

This phrase can also be used in a more playful or humorous way. For example, someone might say, “Beyoncé really understood the assignment with that outfit she wore to the Met Gala ,” meaning that she looked amazing and perfectly captured the theme of the event.

Another example could be, “The new Netflix series really understood the assignment when it came to creating a compelling storyline and characters that viewers can’t get enough of.”

Overall, “understood the assignment” is a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of contexts to praise someone for doing an exceptional job or meeting and exceeding expectations.

Impact on Popular Culture

Popular culture is a reflection of society’s norms, values, and beliefs. It is a dynamic entity that evolves with time and influences people’s behavior, fashion, and lifestyle. Popular culture has a significant impact on society, shaping the way people think, act, and perceive the world around them.

One of the most significant impacts of popular culture is its influence on fashion. Popular culture often sets the trends in clothing, hairstyles, and accessories. For example, the popularity of the TV show Friends in the 1990s led to the trend of “The Rachel” haircut, which was named after the character Rachel Green, played by Jennifer Aniston. Similarly, the popularity of the movie Grease in the 1970s led to the revival of 1950s fashion, with leather jackets, tight jeans, and poodle skirts becoming popular again.

Popular culture also influences people’s behavior and lifestyle choices. For example, the popularity of fitness and health-related TV shows and social media influencers has led to an increase in gym memberships and healthy eating habits. Similarly, the popularity of travel-related shows and social media accounts has led to an increase in tourism and travel-related activities.

In conclusion, popular culture has a significant impact on society, shaping the way people think, act, and perceive the world around them. It influences fashion, behavior, lifestyle choices, language, and communication. As such, it is essential to understand the impact of popular culture and how it shapes our lives.

Criticism and Controversy

While “Understood the Assignment” is generally used to praise someone’s efforts, there have been some criticisms and controversies surrounding the phrase.

One criticism is that it can be used to pressure people into conforming to certain standards or expectations. For example, if someone posts a picture or video and doesn’t receive the “Understood the Assignment” comment, they may feel like they didn’t do a good enough job or that they didn’t meet the expectations of others.

Additionally, some people have argued that the phrase is overused and has lost its meaning. It’s become a catch-all phrase for any kind of praise, regardless of whether or not the person actually understood the assignment or put in a lot of effort.

There have also been controversies surrounding the phrase’s origins. While it’s generally accepted that the phrase originated on TikTok, there have been claims that it was actually first used in other contexts or by other people. However, there’s no definitive proof to support these claims.

Despite these criticisms and controversies, “Understood the Assignment” remains a popular phrase on social media and continues to be used as a way to praise people’s efforts and accomplishments.

Variations and Adaptations

When it comes to the “understood the assignment” trend, there are many variations and adaptations that people have come up with to express the same sentiment. Here are some of the most popular ones:

One common variation is to use the phrase in a humorous or sarcastic way. For example, someone might say “I understood the assignment” while holding up a blank piece of paper or a completely unrelated object. This type of parody is meant to poke fun at the original meaning of the phrase and show that the speaker did not actually understand the assignment.

Another popular adaptation of the trend is to turn it into a meme. This often involves taking a picture or video of someone who is clearly not “understanding the assignment” and adding the phrase as a caption. Memes like these can be found all over social media and are often used to make light of situations where someone is not living up to expectations.

Overall, the “understood the assignment” trend has taken on a life of its own and has become a popular way for people to express their dedication and hard work. While there are many variations and adaptations of the trend, the core message remains the same: that the speaker is giving it their all and doing everything they can to succeed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some quotes about understanding an assignment?

There are many quotes about understanding an assignment, but one of the most popular is “I understood the assignment, but I just didn’t do it.” This quote is often used humorously to express frustration with procrastination or laziness.

What are some synonyms for understanding an assignment?

Some synonyms for understanding an assignment include comprehending, grasping, and getting. These words all describe the ability to fully understand and engage with an assignment or task.

What are some examples of understanding an assignment?

Examples of understanding an assignment might include completing all of the required tasks, following all of the instructions, and producing high-quality work. Understanding an assignment also involves being able to ask questions and seek clarification when necessary.

What is the origin of the phrase ‘understood the assignment’?

The origin of the phrase ‘understood the assignment’ is unclear, but it has become a popular expression on social media and in popular culture. The phrase is often used to praise someone who is giving their all and doing their best.

What does it mean to ‘get’ an assignment?

To ‘get’ an assignment means to fully understand and comprehend what is required in order to complete the task successfully. This involves reading and following all instructions, asking questions if necessary, and producing high-quality work.

What is the meaning of explaining in an assignment?

Explaining in an assignment involves providing clear and concise explanations of concepts, ideas, or processes. This may involve using examples, diagrams, or other visual aids to help the reader understand the material. A well-written explanation should be easy to follow and understand.

Last Updated on September 29, 2023

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• Download Shazam
• Radio Spins

The Assignment

Hip-hop/rap, music video, shazam footer.

• Help for Apple Devices
• Help for Android Devices
• ShazamKit for Developers
• Privacy Policy
• Manage Your Data

Similar Songs

Top songs by tay money, featured in.

The 'I Understood The Assignment' TikTok Audio Explained

A social media trend has reached peak popularity whenever brands start participating in it; by the time junior creatives and social media interns finish pitching and explaining a trend for approval, it's probably already been seen on every platform. So, with that in mind, it should be easy to backtrack the timeline of a trend to learn more about it when a brand joins in on the fun. One glaring exception is the Duolingo Owl — that's one up-to-date bird.

McDonalds' "I understood the assignment" era on Twitter began in the second half of 2021. So did  Starbucks '. With a calculation based on conjecture, the trend can be traced back to the beginning of 2021. We looked to Know Your Meme for confirmation, and it turns out we were right. This is what high school teachers meant when they said that we'd use math after graduating.

This particular phrase has garnered extreme attention across all social media platforms. On TikTok , videos submitted under the "I understood the assignment" hashtag have received more than 600 million views; an excess of 30,000 posts wear it on Instagram . But what does it mean? And why is there an entire song dedicated to it? Read on to learn more.

The 'I understood the assignment' trend has been used by celebrities

How was the "I understood the assignment" trend created? In March 2021, a Twitter user @thering26 posted stills of Uma Thurman in numerous acting roles. "Uma Thurman will always understand the assignment," the accompanying text read. Soon, the phrase and meme format spread across Twitter like wildfire; it is used to describe someone who knows how to get the job done (via Know Your Meme ). The meme format is particularly popular for talking about actors who can pull off very different roles with top-notch acting.

A few months later, artist Tay Money put a new spin on the trend. She released a song that claimed she understood " The Assignment ." The artist herself used a part of the song that said "I understood the assignment" on TikTok. This led to a trend of people posting accomplishments and stories that proved that they knew what was expected of them and went above and beyond (via Know Your Meme ). 

Even celebrities hopped on the trend. Taylor Swift used it to promote "All Too Well" (via YouTube ) and basically immortalized the phrase. There are currently around 250 million views on the "the assignment" hashtag on TikTok . It also led to the creation of another relatable sound that remixes Tay Money's song with Reese Witherspoon in "Legally Blonde" saying, " Actually, I wasn't aware that we had an assignment ." And that's how one meme took over the internet. 

"The Assignment" lyrics

• Tay Money Lyrics

Tay Money Lyrics "The Assignment"

I Understood The Assignment Lyrics

I Understood The Assignment Lyrics By Tay Money . I understood the assignment (bi^^h, I’m done) Uh-huh, uh-huh I-I understood the assignment (bi^^h, we good) Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh bi^^h, I understood the assignment (Duh).

Yeah That’s fire

I’m big fine, too confident (Yeah) I don’t need your compliment (Uh-uh) Bad bi^^h, I’m dominant Trunk bussin’, got diamonds in it (Money) She talkin’, but she ain’t tryin’ it He keep calling me crying, bi^^h (Yuh) Damn, Tay, you killed this I understood the assignment (Duh)

Uh-huh, uh-huh (Rich) I understood the assignment Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Duh) I understood the assignment (bi^^h, I’m done) Uh-huh, uh-huh I-I understood the assignment (bi^^h, we good) Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh bi^^h, I understood the assignment (Duh)

All my bi^^hes piped up (Yeah) Damn, you fine like duh (Okay) Keep that pu^^y locked up (Okay) He a broke boy, he can’t touch (Ew) Damn, you fine like duh, like duh, like duh (Duh), ayy, yuh, yuh (Yuh) Damn, you fine like duh, like duh, like duh, duh, bi^^h, you fine bi^^h, you fine, fine (Okay), he wanna be mine, mine (Duh) I’m a cowgirl (Yee-haw), he gotta be prime time (Money) She a side ho on the sideline (Mhm, oh, man) She a sad ho (Oh, man), ain’t got no time, time (I don’t) Ro— Rollie got me blinged up and I got my team up Valentino kingdom, damn, Tay, you clean those (Money) Switch shots like a free throw, jetski’s for the week ho This ain’t for no weak ho (Uh-huh), shoutout to my freak hoes

I did it, It’s over I murked it, it’s over I own that shit Tay Money season is forever I told you that shit You bi^^hes is seasonal Tay mo^^erf^^king Money is forever, ho These bi^^hes do what I do and that’s that That’s facts, we get straight in, we back, back I got them racks, racks all up in my backpack I’m with Trinidad and I’m fine, I’m going home, home

She Got Some Magical Jaws Lyrics

Understood The Assignment

What does Understood The Assignment mean?

Nailed the task perfectly

When someone ‘Understood The Assignment’ , it means they have outdone themselves, performing an extraordinary feat. It’s like saying a person has nailed it with their outstanding work, such as creating an impressive outfit that makes them stand out in a crowd.

This slang phrase was made famous by the song “The Assignment” by the American rapper, Tay Money. One of the lines from the song is, “ Tay, you killed this. I understood the assignment “.

The term is a playful take on how high-achieving students or employees grasp tasks at school or work and deliver excellent results. It took off on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter in late 2021, where people used it to comment on anything that was amazing or spot on.

For instance, if a golfer completely outplays his competition, making them look like beginners, a fan could say, “ LeBron James understood the assignment “. Similarly, if an artist releases an album with eye-catching cover art, a fan could tweet, “ The latest Ariana Grande album cover understood the assignment “.

Example for using ‘Understood The Assignment’ in a conversation

Hey, did you see the new Spider-Man movie?

Yes! It was so good! Tom Holland really understood the assignment 👏

I know, right? He nailed the action scenes and the emotional moments!

Absolutely! The whole cast and crew really understood the assignment and made an incredible film 🎥🔥

Related Slang Words You Might Be Interested In

On this page, we explain what Understood The Assignment means. We also show you how to use it with some examples. It’s a small part of the big world of slang, and now you know a bit more about it.

If you find any inaccuracy in the meaning/explanation, please do not hesitate to let us know . Let's make the web better for everyone - one slang at a time. 🙂

Understood The Assignment

Did an amazing job.

When somebody understood the assignment, they did something incredible and gave it their all. For example, when a person designs a fabulous outfit and looks stunning, they understood the assignment.

Origin of Understood the Assignment

The slang phrase "understood the assignment" was popularized in 2021 by American rapper Tay Money's song "The Assignment." For example, lyrics from her song are, "Tay, you killed this. I understood the assignment."

The phrase plays off how excellent students or employees understand assignments in school or the workplace really well and subsequently produce stellar work. In the fall of 2021, the phrase grew in popularity on social sites, like TikTok and Twitter, as people used it to remark about fantastic and on point things.

For example, a fan may say, "Tiger Woods understood the assignment," when the golfer beats the rest of the field so badly that he makes them look like amateurs. Or, a musician may have stunning album art, and someone may share it on Twitter, saying, "The new Cardi B album cover understood the assignment."

Related Slang

Understood the assignment definition by slang.net.

This page explains what the slang term "Understood the assignment" means. The definition, example, and related terms listed above have been written and compiled by the Slang.net team.

We are constantly updating our database with new slang terms, acronyms, and abbreviations. If you would like to suggest a term or an update to an existing one, please let us know !

I Understood The Assignment Lyrics – Tay Money

I Understood The Assignment Lyrics is Sung by Tay Money. I Understood The Assignment Lyricsis written by Nicholaus Williams.

Song Details

I Understood The Assignment Lyrics

Yeah That’s fire

I’m big fine, too confident (Yeah) I don’t need your compliment (Uh-uh) Bad bitch, I’m dominant Trunk bussin’, got diamonds in it (Money) She talkin’, but she ain’t tryin’ it He keep calling me crying, bitch (Yuh) Damn, Tay, you killed this I understood the assignment (Duh)

Uh-huh, uh-huh (Rich) I understood the assignment Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Duh) I understood the assignment (Bitch, I’m done) Uh-huh, uh-huh I-I understood the assignment (Bitch, we good) Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh Bitch, I understood the assignment (Duh)

All my bitches piped up (Yeah) Damn, you fine like duh (Okay) Keep that pussy locked up (Okay) He a broke boy, he can’t touch (Ew) Damn, you fine like duh, like duh, like duh (Duh), ayy, yuh, yuh (Yuh) Damn, you fine like duh, like duh, like duh, duh, bitch, you fine Bitch, you fine, fine (Okay), he wanna be mine, mine (Duh) I’m a cowgirl (Yee-haw), he gotta be prime time (Money) She a side ho on the sideline (Mhm, oh, man) She a sad ho (Oh, man), ain’t got no time, time (I don’t) Ro— Rollie got me blinged up and I got my team up Valentino kingdom, damn, Tay, you clean those (Money) Switch shots like a free throw, jetski’s for the week ho This ain’t for no weak ho (Uh-huh), shoutout to my freak hoes

I did it, It’s over I murked it, it’s over I own that shit Tay Money season is forever I told you that shit You bitches is seasonal Tay motherfucking Money is forever, ho These bitches do what I do and that’s that That’s facts, we get straight in, we back, back I got them racks, racks all up in my backpack I’m with Trinidad and I’m fine, I’m going home, home

Share This:

• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean? – Meaning, Uses and More

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean?

The slang phrase understood the assignment is used to praise someone who goes above and beyond or consistently performs well. It can be applied in various situations, such as complimenting someone’s work, outfit, or performance. The phrase gained popularity in 2021, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. The origins of “understood the assignment” are unclear, but it became more widely known after American rapper Tay Money released a song titled “The Assignment” in October 2021. The phrase went viral on Twitter, with users using it to pay tribute to their favorite actors and actresses who excel in their roles. Here are some examples of how to use the phrase “understood the assignment”:

• “Your presentation was amazing! You really understood the assignment.”
• “That outfit is fire! You totally understood the assignment.”
• “I told my son to clean his room, and he really understood the assignment. It’s spotless!”
• “That new employee really understood the assignment. She’s already making a big impact on the team.”
• “I’m not sure if I understood the assignment for this project. Can you give me some more guidance?”

The phrase “understood the assignment” is a fun and playful way to praise someone for their exceptional work or effort. It can be used sincerely or sarcastically, depending on the context.

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean From a Girl?

When a girl uses the phrase “understood the assignment,” she typically means the same thing as everyone else. It is a way to praise someone for going above and beyond or consistently performing well. Girls use it in various situations, such as complimenting someone’s work, outfit, or performance.

Here are some key points to consider:

• Specific meaning from a girl : Girls use the phrase “understood the assignment” to acknowledge and praise someone’s exceptional work or effort.
• How girls use it : Girls may use the phrase in conversations with their friends, colleagues, or online communities to show appreciation for someone’s achievements.
• How to reply : If someone says “understood the assignment” to you, you can reply with a simple “thank you” or express your gratitude for their recognition.

Girls use the phrase similarly to everyone else. It is a lighthearted and positive way to acknowledge someone’s accomplishments. So, if a girl says “understood the assignment” to you, take it as a compliment and feel proud of your achievements!

• Girl A: I just finished my final project for school!
• Girl B: Nice job! You totally understood the assignment !
• Girl: I saw your artwork on Instagram. It’s amazing!
• Artist: Thank you so much! I’m glad you think I understood the assignment .
• Girl A: Check out this outfit I put together for the party tonight.
• Girl B: Wow, you look stunning! You definitely understood the assignment .
• Girl: I just aced my math test!
• Friend: That’s awesome! You really understood the assignment .
• Girl A: I finally finished writing my novel.
• Girl B: That’s incredible! You truly understood the assignment and brought your story to life.

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean From a Guy?

When a guy uses the phrase “understood the assignment,” it can have similar meanings as when a girl uses it. However, there may be some slight differences in how guys use and interpret the slang. Here’s what you need to know:

Complimenting appearance or performance : Like girls, guys may use “understood the assignment” to compliment someone’s appearance or performance. They might use it to acknowledge someone’s stylish outfit, impressive skills, or exceptional work.

Acknowledging achievements : Guys may also use “understood the assignment” to recognize someone’s achievements or efforts. Whether it’s in sports, academics, or any other area, they use it to show appreciation for someone who has gone above and beyond.

Flirting or expressing interest : In some cases, guys may use “understood the assignment” as a flirty hint or a way to express their interest in someone. It can be a playful way of showing admiration and attraction.

Different tone or delivery : While the overall meaning is similar, guys may have a different tone or delivery when using “understood the assignment.” They might use it in a more casual or laid-back manner compared to girls.

If a guy says “understood the assignment” to you, here are a few things to consider:

Context of the conversation : Pay attention to the context in which he used the phrase. Was it in response to something specific you did or said? Understanding the context can give you clues about his intentions.

Your relationship with him : Consider your relationship with this guy. Are you friends, dating, or just acquaintances? The meaning behind his use of “understood the assignment” can vary depending on your relationship dynamics.

Body language and tone : Take note of his body language and tone of voice when he says it. Does he seem serious, playful, or flirtatious? These non-verbal cues can provide additional context to help you understand his intentions.

Of course, it’s important to remember that not every guy will use “understood the assignment” in the same way. Some may use it casually without any specific meaning, while others may use it as a genuine compliment or flirtation. If you’re unsure about his intentions, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or simply take it as a positive acknowledgment of your achievements.

• Guy 1: Dude, did you see that new video game trailer? It looks insane!
• Guy 2: Yeah, the graphics are next level. The developers really understood the assignment .
• Guy 1: Check out this painting I just finished. What do you think?
• Guy 2: Wow, man! You really understood the assignment . It’s so detailed and vibrant.
• Guy 1: I aced my math test today!
• Guy 2: Nice job, dude! You definitely understood the assignment . Math can be tough, but you nailed it.
• Guy 1: I just finished renovating my apartment. Take a look!
• Guy 2: Whoa, it looks amazing! You totally understood the assignment . The design is on point.
• Guy: I saw your dance performance last night. You killed it!
• Girl: Thanks! I practiced so hard. I’m glad it paid off.
• Guy: It definitely did. You absolutely understood the assignment on that stage!

What Does Understood The Assignment Mean Sexually?

No, “understood the assignment” does not have a sexual or NSFW meaning. It is a slang phrase used to praise someone who goes above and beyond or consistently performs well in various situations.

Origin of Understood The Assignment

The origins of the phrase “understood the assignment” are unclear. It gained popularity in 2021, particularly on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter. It is possible that the phrase originated from the common understanding of assignments in school or the workplace, where individuals who excel or consistently perform well are said to have understood the assignment. However, it is also possible that the phrase emerged organically as a catchy and expressive way to praise someone’s exceptional work or effort. Without further information, it is difficult to determine if it is a derived word or a popular typo.

Frequently Asked Questions

Slangs similar to understood the assignment.

The slang phrase “understood the assignment” is similar to the words “outdated,” “trying too hard,” “conformist,” “on trend,” “generic,” and “out of touch” because they all describe someone or something that is not keeping up with trends, not standing out, or lacking originality or uniqueness. These terms are used to criticize or describe someone or something that is not meeting expectations or societal norms.

Is Understood The Assignment A Bad Word?

No, “understood the assignment” is not a bad word or vulgar word. It is a phrase used to praise someone who goes above and beyond to do a good job or who is always on point. It gained popularity in 2021 and is often used on social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter to remark about fantastic and on point things.

Is Understood The Assignment a Typo or Misspelling?

The term “dyat” could be a misspelling or typo, as it is not a recognized word and may have been mistyped due to its similarity to the word “dat” or “diet.”

You may also like

What Does Oy Mean? – Meaning, Uses and More

What Does Pud Mean? – Meaning, Uses and More

What Does Wapo Mean? – Meaning, Uses and More

What Does Cus Mean? – Meaning, Uses and More

The Assignment Lyrics

Browse Artists

Also Trending:

They Always Understood the Assignment

Part of a series on snowclone . [view related entries].

PROTIP: Press 'i' to view the image gallery , 'v' to view the video gallery , or 'r' to view a random entry.

This submission is currently being researched & evaluated!

You can help confirm this entry by contributing facts, media, and other evidence of notability and mutation.

They Always Understood the Assignment is a catchphrase that, when paired with images of an actor or an actress in their various roles, is used as a way of complimenting their acting skill and range. Originating from a viral tweet, the meme and phrasal template gained popularity in March and April 2021, mainly on Twitter.

On March 12th, 2021, Twitter [1] user @thering26 posted four images of actress Uma Thurman in her roles from Kill Bill , Pulp Fiction , The Adventures of Baron Munchausen and Batman & Robin , writing "Uma Thurman will always understand the assignment" to compliment on her acting skill and range. The post (shown below) received over 24,800 retweets and 145,500 likes in one month.

Starting March 13th, 2021, Twitter users started using variations of the phrase "she always understands the assignment" to compliment various actors and actresses on their range. On that day, Twitter [2] user @BluRayAngel posted the earliest found derivative that utilized the format (shown below, left). Their post about actress Zoe Saldana received over 370 retweets and 3,000 likes in one month. On March 15th, Twitter [3] user @PleaseBeGneiss made a post about character actor Tim Curry that gained over 14,500 retweets and 129,000 likes in the same period (shown below, right).

In mid-to-late March, multiple tweets using the format were posted on Twitter, including viral tweets about Bratz dolls [4] (23,800 likes), actor Nicholas Hoult [5] (30,000 likes) and actress Viola Davis [6] (46,500 likes) (shown below, left to right).

On April 3rd, 2021, Twitter [7] user @balladofsongs made a post about character actor Stanley Tucci that gained over 76,000 retweets and 619,000 likes (shown below).

Twitter user @balladofsongs' tweet prompted a surge in the popularity of the format, with multiple viral versions being posted in early April 2021, including tweets parodying the trend.

Various Examples

Search Interest

External references.

[1] Twitter – @thering26

[2] Twitter – @BluRayAngel

[3] Twitter – @PleaseBeGneiss

[4] Twitter – @NINETIESRNB

[5] Twitter – @rejectedhannah

[6] Twitter – @mossarchives

[7] Twitter – @balladofsongs

Related Entries 196 total

Recent videos.

There are no videos currently available.

Recent Images 37 total

View All Images

Sign up for our Newsletter

Top comments.

Apr 07, 2021 at 01:17PM EDT

'actors act,' incredible insight

Apr 07, 2021 at 11:44AM EDT

Funny way of saying it, but positivity about good actors and some meme potential if it lasts… So, W ? maybe ?

+ Add a Comment

Comments (6)

Display Comments

Add a Comment

Today's top image galleries, entry categories.

Know Your Meme

Legal Information: Know Your Meme ® is a trademark of Literally Media Ltd. By using this site, you are agreeing by the site's terms of use and privacy policy and DMCA policy . © 2007-2024 Literally Media Ltd.

Namaste! You must login or signup first!

I Understood The Assignment Tay Money Lyrics – TikTok

Song Info: I Understood The Assignment Tay Money Song. The song name is The Assignment which is sung by Tay Money.

I Understood The Assignment Song Lyrics

[Chorus] I’m big fine, too confident I don’t need your compliment Bad Bi^^h, I’m dominant Trunk bussin’, got diamonds in it (Money) She talkin’, but she ain’t tryin’ it He keep calling me crying, Bi^^h (Yuh) Damn Tay, you killed this I understood the assignment (Duh) Uh-huh, uh-huh (Rich) I understood the assignment Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Duh) I understood the assignment (Bi^^h I’m d-) Bi^^h, I understood the assignment (Duh)

[Verse] All my Bi^^hes locked up Damn you fine, like duh (Okay) Keep that pussy locked up He a broke boy, he can’t touch (Ew) Damn you fine, like duh, like duh, like duh, duh (Duh) Damn you fine, like duh, like duh, like duh, duh (Duh) Bi^^h you fine Bi^^h, you fine fine (Okay) He wanna be mine, mine (Duh) I’ma cowgirl, he gotta be prime time (Money) (Uh-huh) She a side hoe, on the sideline (Uh-huh) She a sad hoe, ain’t got no time, time (Okay) Rollie got me blinged up and I got my team up Valentino kingdom, damn Tay you clean those (Money) Switch shots like a free throw [?] for the week hoe This ain’t for no weak hoe (Uh-huh) Shoutout to my freak hoes [Chorus] Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Duh) I understood the assignment (Duh) Uh-huh, uh-huh (Rich) I understood the assignment Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Duh) I understood the assignment (Bi^^h I’m dumb) Bi^^h I understood the assignment (Duh) Uh-huh, uh-huh (Rich) I understood the assignment Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh (Duh) Bi^^h, I understood the assignment (Duh)

[Outro] I did, It’s over I murked it, it’s over I own that Sh^t Tay money season is forever I told you that Sh^t You Bi^^hes is seasonal Tay motherf^^king Money is forever hoe These Bi^^hes do what i do and that’s that That’s facts, we get straight in ,we back back I got them racks racks all up in my bag packed I’m with Trinidad and [?]

Music Video

Copied URL to clipboard!

Understood the Assignment

“Understood the assignment" is a phrase that is used to acknowledge someone who has done an exceptional job or exceeded expectations. 

What does "Understood the Assignment" mean on social media?

The phrase has become popular on social media and in popular culture and is often used to praise someone who is giving it their all whether that’s with their achievements, what they’re wearing or what they’re doing more generally. 

For example, if someone shows up to the party in a great outfit in this context, saying they “Understood the assignment” means that the person is at the top of their game and pulled up in a great look. 

The phrase can also be used sarcastically to criticize someone who has failed to meet expectations or has done a poor job. Overall, "Understood the assignment" is a phrase that is used to acknowledge someone's efforts or accomplishments and has become a popular way to express praise or criticism in slang.

The future of social delivered to your inbox

Sign up for Later’s newsletter & be the first to access news, expert tips, and free resources.

Email Address

By entering your email, you're accepting Later's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy .

• The Top TikTok Trends to Try This Week
• The Top Instagram Reels Trends to Try This Week

Stay in the know & grow your business

Create & manage all of your social media content in one app.

• Resources    
• Prospective Students
• Current Students
• Faculty & Staff
• Alumni & Friends
• News & Media

On Assignment: Coaching Goes ‘Far beyond Football’ for Green

Coaching goes ‘far beyond football’ for green.

By Matt Burglund

Donta Green won’t rest. How could he when there is so much to do?

Donta Green and the Westinghouse Bulldogs in November 2022 (Brian Henry)

He is surrounded by people and things that need his attention. Underfunded schools. People surviving in neighborhoods that are dying. Drugs and crime. He looks around and knows what he has to do. He helps, he guides, he pushes, and he pulls. His days start early. They end late.

A 2010 IUP graduate, Green by day is the executive director of the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh. Almost every other waking minute, he’s the football coach at the high school he attended, Westinghouse Academy. The two jobs are about a mile and a half apart––the institute in Homewood South and the high school in Homewood West––each in neighborhoods that are among Pittsburgh’s poorest.

“My [players] come home to a neighborhood that blight has taken over,” he said. “I have moms calling me, asking if I know anybody that has some food stamps, because they have run out of food. I have kids who don’t have a ride home from school, and they’re afraid to walk, because it’s too dangerous. Some of them wear the same clothes all week.”

Green takes their calls. He finds ways to help. He believes it’s why God put him on this earth.

“There is not a better human being on the face of the earth than Donta Green,” said IUP football assistant coach Mike Campolo ’96, who recruited Green and now counts him as one of his closest friends. “Nobody is more giving than Donta. Nobody makes time for people more than Donta. He is the definition of someone who always gives and never takes.”

Green is a devout Christian, a devoted husband, a loving father, a loyal friend, a community activist, and an inspiring motivator. That’s a long way from where he started his life’s journey.

“The hours that we put in outside football are probably the most important.”

He came from Larimer, another poverty-stricken Pittsburgh neighborhood where dreams were for other people. But after graduating from IUP, he returned to the city and now lifts up the people and places around him. He doesn’t have to think long about how his life would have turned out if he’d never made it to IUP.

“I would have ended up in jail––or dead,” he said. “If IUP didn’t take a chance on me, I probably would have ended up coming home and selling drugs. That usually ends with you being shot and killed or put in jail.”

At Westinghouse, the on-field stuff comes easy for Green, but the off-field demands are difficult. His players need him to be a father figure, a career advisor, a college connection, and a resource they can rely on for a meal or a ride home after practice. He pushes them to be better players, better students, and better citizens.

“I tell my coaches all the time that we are social workers first, and we just happen to know a little bit about football,” Green said earnestly. “I feel like God has placed me here for an assignment. I think the assignment is to do whatever I need to do to support those kids and to make sure that they’re safe and taken care of and that they’re getting the high school experience that they deserve. It’s far beyond football. The hours that we put in outside football are probably the most important.”

The Bulldogs have gone 52-8 since Green became the head coach in 2019, they’ve won four Pittsburgh City League titles, and they’ve advanced to the state championship game the past two years. The statistic he’s proudest of is the number of players he has helped get into college. As of February, it’s 29.

“The players love him, and he loves them just as much, if not more,” said the former Tonia Charles ’09, Green’s wife of 10 years.

Understanding Their World

Donta Green at his day job, with students and staff members at the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh (Emily Jaros Smith ’03, M’05)

Everyone knew Chance Battle was a talented player, but his focus in the classroom didn’t match his focus on the field. In 10th grade, he was academically ineligible to play for the Bulldogs.

Donta and Tonia Green got involved, and while Battle showed improvement, in 11th grade he was again sidelined because of academics. But the coach and his wife worked extra hours to help him catch up. And just before the team was to begin preseason camp his senior year, Battle learned he was eligible to play. He earned All-City League honors and is now a starter at IUP.

“Coach Green is an extremely important person in my life, and he’s that way for all the guys,” Battle said. “He never gave up on me.”

Green understands the world in which his players grow up. The son of mostly absent parents, he was raised in Larimer by Antoinette Hunter, a double-transplant patient who lived with her elderly parents. Initially, she was Green’s babysitter, but eventually, the days at her house turned to nights at her house, and although she didn’t legally adopt him, he called her his mom.

Conditions were rough. Until he got his first bed when he was a teenager, Green slept in a recliner. A couple times a year, the gas was shut off, because the bill went unpaid. Green didn’t use a shower until he was in college (he had taken only baths, and those were sometimes in water heated in the microwave, because the gas was turned off). When he did take a bath, first he had to place a garbage can on top of the refrigerator directly below, because the tub drain leaked, and there wasn’t money to fix it.

But Green felt loved. He and Hunter cared for one another. By the time he was in kindergarten, he was able to identify her pills and open their packaging to give her the medicine she needed following her lung and kidney transplants. He learned from those experiences that a house does not make a home. And a home is what he tries to create every day for his players at Westinghouse and students at the institute.

“The thing I love about Donta is that he isn’t loved because he is soft,” Campolo said. “He is demanding, but he is consistent, and he provides structure. The kids respond to that.”

Green remembers a time when a tree fell and crashed through Hunter’s bathroom window. The solution, because there was no other available, was to put plywood over the hole. Years later, while Green was at IUP, Hunter lost the house. He was still calling her mom when she died in 2017, leaving a hole in Green’s heart that, like that bathroom window, can’t be repaired. The house now sits abandoned, and the window is still boarded up. Sometimes Green drives by, just as a reminder of how far he’s come.

A Winding Path to IUP

In high school, Green was not a good student: he left Westinghouse with a 1.6 grade point average, but he excelled on the football field.

Despite IUP and many other colleges offering him opportunities to play, he did not have the grades to get into those schools. But, as he would do for Battle more than a decade later, Green found someone who would push him. Taunya Tinsley, who at the time worked at Westinghouse as a student advocate, implored Green to find a way to get to college.

“My job with Donta was to nourish the seed and make sure he saw what was possible,” Tinsley said. “I told him not to look at the here and now, but to look at what could be.”

“If nobody recognized him for what he does, he'd still do it.”

Green eventually made his way to Bethany College, a tiny, private Division III school in the northern panhandle of West Virginia. Bethany was only 50 miles from Pittsburgh, but to Green, it felt like a million miles. He finished the year with good grades and, because Division III schools do not offer athletic scholarships, with some debt. He came home for the summer and decided he was not going back.

Green got in touch with Campolo, who had visited him at Westinghouse the previous year. A couple weeks before the season began, he came to IUP and learned about the football program and its winning tradition. Thanks to his one year at Bethany, this time he had the grades to get in.

In three seasons, Green played 28 games at linebacker and was named all-conference after his senior season. He graduated with a bachelor’s in criminology, the first member of his family to earn a degree.

“When I look back at it,” he said, “God was telling me that IUP is where I was supposed to be.”

Committed to Helping

The Trade Institute of Pittsburgh is a nonprofit agency operating out of a reconditioned brick warehouse. 

Many of the institute’s students have drugs and/or incarcerations in their backgrounds, which make it hard to find consistent work. The institute provides them with soft skills, such as résumé writing and interviewing, plus trade skills, like masonry and carpentry, so they can get work that will give them a better future. In 2021, 45 students graduated from the institute and landed decent-paying jobs. In 2022, that number rose to 77. 

“I tell people all the time that these students are just older versions of the kids I have at Westinghouse,” Green said. “I feel like I am in a unique space, because I can be on the preventive side of things for those kids. If I give them the support and exposure they need, they won’t end up having to utilize a program like [the institute].”

Green has been lauded for his success in the boardroom and on the football field. In 2019, after the Bulldogs won their first City League title in more than two decades, Pittsburgh Steelers star Cameron Heyward came to the team banquet and gave Green two tickets to the Super Bowl. In 2022, Pittsburgh Magazine chose him for its 40 under 40 awards, and KDKA selected him as one of its five Hometown Heroes. He was also a recipient of the FBI Community Leadership Award, and after the past two football seasons, he has been named the Pennsylvania Football Writers’ Coach of the Year.

But awards aren’t his motivation. “If nobody recognized him for what he does,” Tonia said, “he’d still do it.”

After being best friends since they were 13, Donta and Tonia started dating a couple years after they graduated from IUP. Married since 2014, they have a daughter, Dru, and a son, Troy, and their strong foundation is built on love, compassion, and a we, not me, philosophy guided by their spirituality. When Westinghouse hired Donta, in effect it also hired Tonia, who spends her day as program director for the Center of Urban Education at the University of Pittsburgh.

“I think the beauty of our union is that we both are committed to helping,” she said. “We understand the call. We help people when they need help. If people trust my husband enough to call for help, there’s merit to that.”

It’s a life to be proud of, but Donta won’t say that in so many words.

“Am I proud of myself?” he asks, repeating the question. “That would be a bold statement.”

Tinsley, who 20 years ago pushed Green to make something positive out of his circumstances,  will be so bold.

“Oh, my God, I am so proud of him,” she said. “I love what he does and who he has become.”

Where He Needs to Be

Green has served as Westinghouse’s head football coach for five seasons. (Brian Henry)

In a video, Green reads a letter from Dick’s Sporting Goods as he is surrounded by his players. He chokes up for a second and bows his head. He then reads the part about the Westinghouse football program being chosen for Dick’s 75for75 program, a distinction that comes with a check for $75,000, to fund a new weight room for the Bulldogs.

What anyone watching the video on YouTube probably doesn’t know is that, a few days before it was filmed in January 2023, Green was all but gone from Westinghouse. He had been offered a lucrative deal to take over the program at Woodland Hills High School in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh, and in his mind, he was “90 percent gone.”

The school had offered a dramatic salary increase for Green and all his assistants, and it was allowing him to hire eight of them, three more than he had with the Bulldogs. The school had better facilities and a higher profile than Westinghouse. It was an opportunity to move up the coaching ladder, and Green felt he was ready. Earlier that month, he sat on the bed with Tonia, and they talked it over. He mentioned the increase in salary, the better hours, the better facilities, the better job.

“In my mind, I was going through my first team speech,” Donta said. “And then she said, ‘Is that what we got into this for?’ It was like a punch in the stomach.”

He knew what she meant. There was more to do at Westinghouse.

“I was praying about it,” he said. “I said to my wife, ‘I’m not hearing anything.’ And she said, ‘Well, then you already know what to do. If God isn’t giving you the green light, he’s telling you to sit still.’”

Turning down the Woodland Hills job was a difficult phone call to make. But not long after, he got the letter from Dick’s. Rather than giving him a directive, maybe that was God’s way of answering Green’s prayer. A few weeks later, he was in New York City, a guest on ABC’s Good Morning America being interviewed about the 75for75 program.

For those hearing the story of the Bulldogs, their coach, and their community, it’s clear Donta Green is where he needs to be. All he ever wanted was a home, and he has found it. So, is he proud of himself? There’s no time for that kind of talk.

“Part of my growth as a coach,” Green said, “is being able to sit back and reflect on some of the things that I’ve done. But proud of myself? I can’t say that, because there are still kids who don’t make it in our program. There are still kids who are making bad decisions. There are still kids who just aren’t getting it academically yet. There’s just so much more work to do.”

Due: Sat May 25 11:59 pm Late submissions accepted until Sun May 26 11:59 pm

Assignment by Michael Chang & Julie Zelenski idea originated by Randal Bryant & David O'Hallaron (CMU). Modifications by Nick Troccoli, Brynne Hurst, Kathleen Creel and Jonathan Kula.

Learning Goals

This assignment focuses on understanding assembly code representations of programs. You will be building your skills with:

• reading and tracing assembly code
• understanding how data access, control structures, and function calls translate between C and assembly
• reverse-engineering
• understanding the challenges of writing secure and robust systems
• understanding privacy, trust, and the role of the ethical penetration tester
• mastering the gdb debugger!

You have been hired as a security expert for Stanford Bank (a fictional on-campus bank). They need you to investigate reports of infiltration and security issues and replicate the issues so that they can fix them.

There are three parts to this assignment, each of which can be completed independently:

• an ATM withdrawal program containing some vulnerabilities - you'll need to use your C and assembly skills to find and demonstrate how to exploit these vulnerabilities.
• A dataset that you will use to deanonymize bank users.
• The SecureVault program, a new product designed by the bank to provide increased security to the master vault. You'll be given an executable of the SecureVault program (no C code provided!) to show that it is possible to reverse engineer this program and break into the master vault without being told the passwords.

These problems are like C/assembly "puzzles" to solve, and we hope you enjoy solving them and exploring this material as much as we enjoyed creating them!

Note: check out our assignment overview video on Canvas ; it goes over the different parts of the assignment, what to expect, and tips and tricks! Note the overview video is from this quarter last year, but the assignment is the same (save for the fact that questions 2 and 3 are exchanged).

Spring 2024: Lecture 22 (Mon 5/20) is necessary to work on questions 3 and 4 in part 2 of this assignment.

A few reminders:

• The working on assignments page contains info about the assignment process.
• The collaboration policy page outlines permitted assignment collaboration, emphasizing that you are to do your own independent thinking, design, writing, and debugging. Even without any code being submitted, you should not be doing any joint debugging/development, sharing or copying written answers, sharing specific details about SecureVault behavior, etc. If you are having trouble completing the assignment on your own, please reach out to the course staff; we are here to help!

To get started on this assignment, clone the starter project using the command

View Full Starter File List

• vault : Your SecureVault executable program, custom-generated for each student.
• custom_tests : The file where you will add custom tests to reproduce vulnerabilities in the provided ATM withdrawal program.
• input.txt : A blank text file where you should add the passwords for each SecureVault level, one per line. See the section on SecureVault for more information.
• readme.txt : A file where you should add answers to short written questions for all three parts of the assignment.
• .gdbinit : A gdb configuration file you can optionally use to run certain gdb commands each time gdb launches. See the section on using GDB in SecureVault for more information.
• samples : A symbolic link to the shared directory for this assignment. It contains:
• atm : The executable ATM program, which you will explore for vulnerabilities.
• atm.c : The C source code for the ATM program, which you will explore for vulnerabilities. Note that you're not able to edit or recompile this code/executable.
• checkins.csv : A file containing public social media location check-in data for various locations on Stanford campus over the past three months.
• search_checkins : An executable program to search the check-in data.
• bank : a folder containing the following:
• customers.db : A file with the list of all users and balances for the ATM program.
• transactions.csv : A file with ATM transaction information from the past three months at the Stanford campus ATM.
• SANITY.INI and sanity.py : Files to configure and run sanity check. You can ignore these files.
• wordlist : A list of dictionary words used for SecureVault.
• tools : Contains symbolic links to the sanitycheck and submit programs for testing and submitting your work. ( codecheck is not needed on this assignment)

You will be using gdb frequently on this assignment. Here are essential resources as you work - note that you should make sure you have downloaded the CS107 GDB configuration file mentioned in the Getting Started Guide if you didn't previously do so.

Open Getting Started Guide Open GDB Guide Open Lab5 GDB Tips Open Lab6 GDB Tips

1. ATM Security

Stanford Bank recently updated the ATM software to a version with some additional features. The IT team reviewed the new code and thought it all looked good, but having now installed it in production, they are observing some suspicious activity. The bank has called you because your superior C and assembly skills are just what's needed to investigate and resolve these problems!

In the samples folder, they have provided you the code ( atm.c ) and compiled executable ( atm ), which you can examine/run but cannot recompile or edit (since they want to ensure you work with the same executable installed on the ATMs themselves). The ATM program is invoked with an amount and the credentials for a particular account. If the credential is authorized and the account has sufficient funds, the amount is withdrawn and dispersed in cash. Accounts must maintain a minimum balance of $50, and the ATM is supposed to maintain bank security by rejecting unauthorized access. Every time you run the program, it will print out information to the terminal about the transaction that took place, or the error that occurred, if any. For example, if you ask to withdraw $100 from your account balance of $107, it should be denied with an error message because that would bring your current $107 balance below the required minimum of $50. If you try to sneak cash from another account or use a fake name, your credential should get rejected as unauthorized.

Here are a few examples - try it out yourself! Note that $USER automatically acts as your SUNET ID, and every account balance is set to be $107. Also, each time you run the program anew, all balances return to their original starting levels. No money actually changes hands in this ATM, which is a blessing given its security flaws.

Expand ATM Sample Runs

The bank has identified three anomalies in the ATM program behavior that they need your help investigating. For each of the anomalies (a), (b), and (c) below, you will need to do the following:

• include a test case in your custom_tests file to showcase how to reproduce the vulnerability. Note that there may be more than one way to trigger a vulnerability.
• A concise description of the underlying defect in the code.
• An explanation of exactly how you constructed your test case to exploit it.
• Your recommendation for fixing it. The bank is not looking for a major rewrite/redesign, so in your proposed changes you should directly address the vulnerability with minimal other disruption. Note that there may be more than one possible remedy for fixing each issue. Also make sure you do not remove intended functionality of the bank program, and account for any potential additional security issues introduced by your proposed fix .

NOTE: when running your own custom tests, make sure to inspect the output to ensure your tests are causing the behavior you expect! The sanitycheck tool itself does not verify that the tests cause the specified exploits.

As you work through your investigation, you will need to review the source code for the atm program. The program is roughly 175 lines of C code of similar complexity to what you have been writing this quarter, and is decomposed and fairly readable, though sorely lacking in comments. You should find that the program's approach seems reasonable and the code is sincere in its attempt to operate correctly. As you're reading, take a minute to reflect on how far your awesome C skills have come to let you read through this provided program!

NOTE: when running the ATM program under GDB, make sure you are in the samples folder first before running gdb atm .

a) Negative Balances

A prior version of the ATM program restricted a withdrawal to be at most the full account balance, allowing the customer to drain their account to $0, but no further. The current version has changed the withdraw function to require a non-zero minimum balance. The expected behavior should be that all account balances stay above this minimum. However, the bank saw an (otherwise ordinary) withdrawal transaction that not only caused an account to go below the minimum, but also overdrew so far as to end up with a negative balance. Oops, that's definitely not supposed to happen! Review the C code for the withdraw function, specifically the changes from the old version. It seems to work in many cases, but apparently not all. Read carefully through this function to try and discover the flaw - your understanding of signed and unsigned integers will be useful here! Once you have found the vulnerability, determine a command to make a withdrawal as yourself that withdraws more money than is present in your account . Put this command in custom_tests , and answer the specified readme questions.

b) Unauthorized Account Access

The bank has also received a customer complaint about an unauthorized withdrawal from their account. It seems that another user with different credentials was able to successfully withdraw money from the aggrieved customer's account. Moreover, the credential used appears to be entirely fake - no such user exists in the database! A user should not be able to access a different customer's account and especially not by supplying a bogus credential! Review the C code for the find_account function that is responsible for matching the provided username to their account number. It seems to work properly when the username matches an existing account, but not when the username doesn't match an existing account. Trace through line by line how the function executes when called with an invalid username that is not in the database. What lines are executed? Once you do this, you'll find that the function appears to behave unpredictably. Your next task is to examine the generated assembly to determine precisely how the function will behave - your understanding of the %rax / %eax register will be useful here! Once you have found the vulnerability, determine a command with a designed bogus name credential to withdraw $40 from one of the CS107 staff member's accounts. Put this command in custom_tests , and answer the specified readme questions. (The samples/bank/customers.db file contains information about all valid users and their balances, and the first 15 users in the database are staff accounts.)

c) Accessing The Master Vault

The most worrisome issue is repeated illicit withdrawals from the master vault account, account number 0. The name on the master account is not an actual user, so this account cannot be accessed using the simple username-based credential. Instead, the user must specify two account arguments, the account's number and its secret passcode, as a form of heightened security, like this:

At first the bank thought the vault passcode had been leaked, but changing the passcode did nothing to thwart the attack. In a fit of desperation, the bank removed the vault passcode file altogether, figuring this would disable all access to the vault, yet the rogue user continues to make withdrawals from it! It seems that the high-security passcode authentication may have its own security flaw! The code that handles this authentication is in the lookup_by_number and read_secret_passcode functions. These functions work correctly in many situations, but fail in certain edge cases. Remember that it seems that in certain cases supplied credentials are accepted despite the lack of a saved passcode file . The vulnerability is subtle in the C code, so you should also use GDB to examine the code at the assembly level and diagram out the memory on the stack for these functions . This problem is similar to the stack diagramming/exploit problem from lab6 - revisit that problem if you need a refresher! Your exploit should not involve reading from any file. Once you have found the vulnerability, determine a command to withdraw $300 from the bank vault despite its disabled passcode . Put this command in custom_tests , and answer the specified readme questions.

2. Dataset Aggregation

Separate from the faulty ATM software, Stanford Bank believes that someone was able to gain access to their account logs and get a list of ATM transaction information for their Stanford campus ATM. The company believes that this poses little threat because the transaction logs have limited recorded data. However, you are concerned that this data can be combined with other available data in dangerous ways, such as to learn private information. For instance, knowing someone's history of large (or small) transactions might tell you about their financial situation; knowing memberships in clubs or organizations might tell you about social relationships and webs of networks. Your task is to combine this data with another dataset you have found of public location check-ins to show the harms of a potential data breach. To aid in investigating your concerns, the bank has made the ATM transaction data available to you in the samples/bank/transactions.csv file. This file has one account transaction per line, and each transaction occurred at the Stanford campus ATM. Each line has the following format:

For example, here is one line from the file that represents a withdrawal of $15 on 2/15/21 at 4:54PM:

Transactions with the same account identifier are guaranteed to be for the same bank account, but the identifier doesn't give any information about whose account it is (intentionally done by the bank to obfuscate the data).

You have already downloaded a publicly-available location checkins dataset from an online social network, in the file samples/checkins.csv . It is too large to read through manually, so you also already created a program search_checkins that displays that checkin data and lets you search through it more easily. Run the program ( samples/search_checkins ) for instructions on how to use it.

Show the risks of dataset aggregation and express your concerns to the bank managers by answering the following questions in your readme.txt . Note that you are not expected to create any additional programs to parse or otherwise process these datasets with code - the intent is for you to skim the transactions.csv file by hand and use it along with the search_checkins program to answer the following questions.

• a) The likely user who made multiple large transactions?
• b) Two (there may be more, but you must identify only two) likely members of the Stanford SecurityStars Club, which has a club meeting on the 15th of each month where people must bring $15 to pay their membership dues? (Assume they are procrastinators in withdrawing the money)
• How were you able to de-anonymize the transactions data?
• Beyond encrypting the data, what recommendations would you give to Stanford Bank to further anonymize or obfuscate the account data in the case of accidental data breaches?
• Use one or more of the four models of privacy discussed in lecture to explain why disclosure of the information that can be aggregated here is (or is not) a violation of privacy.

3. SecureVault

Stanford Bank is rolling out a new tool, SecureVault, to provide increased security at the master vault at each of their branches. Employees must enter four secret passwords into this program to gain access to the master vault. For extra security, the bank creates a different SecureVault program for each branch with different expected passwords; the bank headquarters does not give the source code to any of the branches; and the program triggers an alarm that notifies the central system each time an incorrect password is entered. They are confident that this means only someone who is told the password can get access, and any potential intruders will be detected by the alarm system. They have hired you to test this. Your task is to show that you can reverse engineer the program to gain access to the bank vault without being told the password, and without alerting central security.

Do not start by running SecureVault and entering passwords to "see what will happen" . You will quickly learn that what happens is the alarm goes off and it deducts points :-) When started, SecureVault waits for input and when you enter the wrong password, it will raise the alarm and notify the central system, deducting points. Thoroughly read the SecureVault information below before attempting to enter any passwords! There is a lot of information below, but it is included to help provide useful tips for you to work through this part of the assignment.

Without the original source code, all you know is that SecureVault has four "levels" of security, each with a different password. If the user enters the correct password, it deactivates the level and the program proceeds on. But given the wrong input, SecureVault raises an alarm by printing a message, alerting central security and terminating. To reach the master vault, one needs to successfully disarm each of its levels.

This is where the bank needs your help. Each of you is assigned a different generated SecureVault executable unique to you, generated just as they would be for each bank branch. Your mission is to apply your best assembly detective skills to reverse engineer the SecureVault executable to work out the input required to pass each level and reach the master vault, thus proving the insecurity of the bank's approach.

Specifically, you must fill in your input.txt file with the passwords to defuse each level in order, 1 per line, for each level you have solved. You must also answer the following questions in your readme.txt file. Make sure to verify your input.txt file (with appropriate protections!) to ensure proper formatting and that all lines are entered correctly before submitting! We will test by running ./vault input.txt on your submission, using the original SecureVault program generated for you. Here are the readme questions to work through as you go:

• What tactics did you use to suppress/avoid/disable alarms?
• level_1 contains an instruction near the start of the form mov $<multi-digit-hex-value>,%edi . Explain how this instruction fits into the operation of level_1 . What is this hex value and for what purpose is it being moved? Why can this instruction reference %edi instead of the full %rdi register?
• level_2 contains a jg that is not immediately preceded by a cmp or test instruction. Explain how a branch instruction operates when not immediately preceded by a cmp or test . Under what conditions is this particular jg branch taken?
• Explain how the loop in the winky function of level_3 is exited.
• Explain how the mycmp function is used in level_4 . What type of data is being compared and what ordering does it apply?
• How would you describe Stanford Bank’s trust model? (In other words: who among the bank headquarters, the bank branches, and you was trusted?) Justify your answer.

SecureVault Information

From the SecureVault assembly, you will work backwards to construct a picture of the original C source in a process known as reverse-engineering . Note that you don't necessarily need to recreate the entire C source; your goal is to work out a correct input to pass the level. This requires a fairly complete exploration of the code path you follow to deactivate the level, but any code outside that path can be investigated on a need-to-know basis. Once you understand what makes your SecureVault program "tick", you can supply each level with the password it requires to disarm it. The levels get progressively more complex, but the expertise you gain as you move up from each level increases as well. One confounding factor is that SecureVault raises an alarm whenever it is given invalid input. Each time the alarm goes off (except for a free pass the first time), it notifies central security (the CS107 staff) and points are deducted from your score. Thus, there are consequences to setting off the alarm -- you must be careful!

The bank has confirmed to you a few things about how the SecureVault programs operate:

• If you start SecureVault with no command-line argument, it reads input typed at the console.

If you give an argument to SecureVault, such as input.txt :

SecureVault will read all lines from that file and then switch over to reading from the console. This feature allows you to store inputs for solved levels in input.txt and avoid retyping them each time.

Alarms can be triggered when executing at the shell or within gdb. However, gdb offers you tools you can use to intercept the alarms, so your safest choice is to work under gdb and employ preventive measures.

• It is not possible to know for sure whether the central system (course staff) is notified about an alarm. You must use your investigative skills and best defensive measures!
• The central system will give you a free pass (no point deduction) the first time they are notified about an alarm.
• The SecureVault program in your repository was lovingly created just for you and is unique to your id. It is said that it can detect if an impostor attempts to run it and won't play along.
• The SecureVault program is designed for the myth computers (running on the console or logged in remotely). There is a rumor that it will refuse to run anywhere else.
• It seems as though the function names were left visible in the object code, with no effort to disguise them. Thus, a function name of initialize_vault or read_five_numbers can be a clue. Similarly, it seems to use the standard C library functions, so if you encounter a call to qsort or sscanf , it is the real deal.
• There is one important restriction: Do not use brute force!   You could write a program to try every possible input to find a solution. But this is trouble because a) you lose points on each incorrect guess which raises an alarm, b) trying all possible inputs will take an eternity and risk saturating the network, and c) part of your submission requires answering questions that show you understanding of the assembly code, which guessing will not provide :)

Using tools such as gdb , objdump and new tools nm and strings is critical to effectively investigating and disarming each level. Once you are familiar with the tools at your disposal, first work to reliably prevent alarms from triggering , then proceed with disarming each of the levels .

Step 1: Familiarity with Tools

Here are some helpful tools to gather general information:

• nm : use the nm utility ( nm vault ) to print what's called the "symbol table" of the executable, which contains the names of functions and global variables and their addresses. The names may give you a sense of the structure of the SecureVault program.
• strings : use the strings utility ( strings vault ) to print all the printable strings contained in the executable, including string constants. See if any of these strings seem relevant in determining the passwords.
• gdb lets you single-step by assembly instruction, examine (and change!) memory and registers, view the runtime stack, disassemble the object code, set breakpoints, and more. Live experimentation on the executing SecureVault program is the most direct way to become familiar in what's happening at the assembly level.
• Compiler Explorer : pull up tools like the Compiler Explorer interactive website from lab, or gcc on myth , to compile and explore the assembly translation of any code you'd like. For example, if you're unsure how to a particular C construct translates to assembly, how to access a certain kind of data, how break works in assembly, or how a function pointer is invoked by qsort , write a C program with the code in question and trace through its disassembly. Since you yourself wrote the test program, you also don't have to fear it setting off any alarms :-) You can compile directly on myth using a copy of a Makefile from any CS107 assignment/lab as a starting point, and then use gdb or objdump to poke around.

GDB Suggestions

GDB is absolutely invaluable on this assignment. Here are some suggestions on how to maximize your use of gdb in addition to the tips in lab5 and lab6 :

• Expand your gdb repertoire. The labs have introduced you to handy commands such as break , x , print , info , disassemble , display , watch , and stepi/nexti . Here are some additional commands that you might find similarly useful: jump , kill , and return . Within gdb, you can use help name-of-command to get more details about any gdb command. See the quick gdb reference card for a summary of many other neat gdb features.

Get fancy with your breakpoints. You can breakpoints by function name, source line, or address of a specific instruction. Use commands to specify a list of commands to be automatically executed whenever a given breakpoint is hit. These commands might print a variable, dump the stack, jump to a different instruction, change values in memory, return early from a function, and so on. Breakpoint commands are particularly useful for installing actions you intend to be automatically and infallibly completed when arriving at a certain place in the code. (hint!)

gdb kill workaround : gdb 9.2 (current version on myth as of 04/2021) has a bug when attempting to use kill in the commands sequence for a breakpoint that creates a cascade of problems --can cause gdb itself to crash or hang. The gdb command signal SIGKILL can be used as an alternate means to kill a program from a commands sequence that doesn't trip this bug.

Use a .gdbinit file . The provided file named .gdbinit in the assignment folder can be used to set a startup sequence for gdb. In this text file, you enter a sequence of commands exactly as you would type them to the gdb command prompt. Upon starting, gdb will automatically execute the commands from it. This will be a convenient place to put gdb commands to execute every time you start the debugger. Hint: wouldn't this be useful for creating breakpoints with commands that you want to be sure are always in place when running the SecureVault program? The .gdbinit file we give you in the starter repo has only one command to echo Successfully executing commands from .gdbinit in current directory . If you see this message when you start gdb, it confirms the .gdbinit file has been loaded. If you see an error message about auto-loading .gdbinit being declined when starting gdb, this means you haven't installed the CS107 GDB configuration file - see the top of this page for instructions.

• Custom gdb commands . Use define to add your own gdb "macros" for often-repeated command sequences. You can add defines to your .gdbinit file so you have access to them in subsequent gdb sessions as well.
• Fire up tui mode (maybe...). The command layout asm followed by layout reg will give you a split window showing disassembly and register values. This layout will display current values for all registers in the upper pane, the sequence of assembly instructions in the middle pane, and your gdb command line at the bottom. As you single-step with si , the register values will update automatically (those values that changed are highlighted) and the middle pane will follow instruction control flow. This is a super-convenient view of what is happening at the machine level, but sadly, you have to endure a number of quirks and bugs to use it. The tui mode can occasionally crash gdb itself, killing off gdb and possibly the SecureVault program while it's at it. Even when tui is seemingly working, the display has a habit of turning wonky, often fixable by the refresh command (use this early and often!) but not always. A garbled display could cause you to misunderstand the program state, misidentify where your SecureVault is currently executing, or accidentally execute a gdb command you didn't intend. Any alarm suppression mechanism that requires you, the fallible human, to take the right action at a critical time could easily be waylaid by interference, so don't attempt tui before you have invincible automatic protection against alarms. Selective use of auto-display expressions (introduced in lab6) is a great alternative with less disruption. You can exit tui using ctrl-x a and re-enter it again (this doesn't require leaving gdb and losing all your state).

Step 2: General Investigation and Preventing Alarms

Once you are familiar with the tools at your disposal, your next step is to gather general information about how the SecureVault program works to figure out how to reliably prevent alarms from triggering . There are simple manual blocks that give some measure of protection, but it is best to go further to develop an invincible guard. Feel free to use any technique at your disposal, such as leveraging gdb features, tweaking the global program state, modifying your setup, tricking the SecureVault program into running in a safe manner, etc. Avoiding the alarm entirely is one straightforward approach to ensure that we won't hear about it, but there are ways to selectively disable just the transmission portion to the central system (course staff) . Once you figure how to set up appropriate protection against alarms, you will then be free to experiment with the levels without worry. Note that the program can only trigger an alarm when it is "live", i.e., executing in shell or running with gdb .

Step 3: Disarming Levels

Your next task is to approach each level individually to figure out a password that disarms it. There may be more than one password for each level; your task is to enter your 4 passwords, one per line, starting with level 1, into your input.txt file. Here are key tips for how to approach your reverse engineering exploration:

• Run the program live in GDB (with appropriate alarm protections!) and step through to better understand its behavior. Reading and diagramming the assembly by hand is useful to an extent, but quickly becomes infeasible with larger programs.
• Break the assembly into chunks. For instance, if it calls any functions, that's a good stopping point to orient yourself and understand the assembly just up to that point.
• Use gdb to verify your hypotheses. Verify key assumptions you make about the vault behavior to ensure you're on the right track. One helpful trick is you can change register contents while running gdb. E.g. if you think "I believe if %rdi stored this, it would do that", then try it! You can do p $rdi = val to change register contents mid-program. Or if you think something is a char * , cast and print it out, e.g. p (char *)$rdi .
• Document your knowns and unknowns. If you run into a situation where you are stuck due to seemingly-conflicting assumptions, document them and re-verify them. If you have multiple conflicting assumptions, at least one must not be the case.
• Use compiler explorer to see what code looks like in assembly. If you think you happened upon e.g. a loop, if statement, etc. try using compiler explorer to type in some code quickly and see what that code looks like in assembly. If it resembles the assembly you're seeing, perhaps that can help you better understand its structure.
• Use library functions to your advantage. If you spot a call to what looks like a library function, it's the real deal. Use the man page for that function to learn about what parameters it takes in, what it does, and what it returns. This can give you key information about the types of data in different registers - e.g. if you see a call to strlen , then the value put into %rdi must be of type char * , and what's stored in %rax afterwards must be a size_t string length.
• When tracing an unknown function, before dissecting its behavior first learn about the input/output of the function and what role it plays. Does it return anything? What parameters does it take in? If it has a return value, is it checked to be something in particular? Going into a function with an idea of what must be returned for you to continue with the vault can help you focus on understanding how to achieve that.

Sanity Check

The default sanitycheck test cases are ATM inputs and one test case that reports the line count of your input.txt file. This sanitycheck is configured to only allow test cases for ATM in your custom_tests file. The SecureVault executable is not run by sanitycheck.

Once you are finished working and have saved all your changes, check out the guide to working on assignments for how to submit your work. We recommend you do a trial submit in advance of the deadline to allow time to work through any snags. You may submit as many times as you would like; we will grade the latest submission. Submitting a stable but unpolished/unfinished version is like an insurance policy. If the unexpected happens and you miss the deadline to submit your final version, this previous submit will earn points. Without a submission, we cannot grade your work.

We would also appreciate if you filled out this homework survey to tell us what you think once you submit. We appreciate your feedback!

For this assignment, here is a tentative point breakdown (out of 119):

• custom_tests (24 points) Each successful attack test case earns 8 points. We will test by running tools/sanitycheck custom_tests on your submission. Your custom_tests should contain 3 test cases, one for each ATM attack.
• readme.txt (55 points) The written questions will be graded on the understanding of the issues demonstrated by your answers and the thoroughness and correctness of your conclusions.
• Input.txt (40 points) Each SecureVault level you have solved earns 10 points. We will test by running ./vault input.txt on your submission. The input.txt file in your submission should contain one line for each level you have solved, starting from level 1. Malformed entries in your input.txt or wrong line-endings will cause grading failures. To avoid surprises, be sure that you have verified your input.txt in the same way we will in grading (i.e., ./vault input.txt ).
• SecureVault alarms triggered (up to 6 points deducted) Each alarm notification (beyond the first one) that reaches the staff results in a 1 point deduction, capped at 6 points total.

Post-Assignment Check-in

How did the assignment go for you? We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on how far you've come and what new knowledge and skills you have to take forward. Once you finish this assignment, your assembly skills will be unstoppable, and you will have a better understanding of trust, privacy and security! You successfully found vulnerabilities in a program using its source and assembly, and reverse engineered a complex program without having access to its source at all. Rock on!

To help you gauge your progress, for each assignment/lab, we identify some of its takeaways and offer a few thought questions you can use as a self-check on your post-task understanding. If you find the responses don't come easily, it may be a sign a little extra review is warranted. These questions are not to be handed in or graded. You're encouraged to freely discuss these with your peers and course staff to solidify any gaps in you understanding before moving on from a task.

• What are some of the gdb commands that allow re-routing control in an executing program?
• What is the main indication that an assembly passage contains a loop?
• What makes someone a trustworthy fiduciary or guardian of personal data? How and why should an institution like a bank protect the privacy of its customers?
• Explain the difference between a function's return value and its return address.
• Consider the mechanics of function pointer work at the assembly level. How is a call through a function pointer the same/different when compared to an ordinary function call?
• For performance reasons, the compiler prefers storing local variables in registers whenever possible. What are some reasons that force the compiler to store a local variable on the stack instead?
• For the instruction sequence below, what must be true about values of op1 and op2 for the branch to be taken? What changes if ja is substituted for jg ? cmp op1,op2 jg target

Advertisement

Supported by

Roger Corman’s Best Movies: A Streaming Guide

The producer and director ran what was essentially a trade school for future stars and filmmakers like Jack Nicholson, Francis Ford Coppola and Pam Grier.

• Share full article

By Scott Tobias

It’s almost impossible to measure the impact Roger Corman , who died Thursday at 98, had on independent genre filmmaking and the careers of emerging young directors, performers and crew members who cut their teeth under his tutelage. As a producer, Corman mastered the economics of drive-in movies and B-pictures, turning out consistently profitable work that gave the audience what it wanted while allowing for a little creative flexibility. Directors like Francis Ford Coppola, Jonathan Demme, Martin Scorsese, Ron Howard, Joe Dante and John Sayles didn’t exactly do their best work under Corman, nor did future stars like Peter Fonda, Bruce Dern, Jack Nicholson, Pam Grier and Diane Ladd. But his productions were like a trade school for New Hollywood.

The 13 films below only scratch the surface of Corman’s huge filmography, but they do provide a glimpse into his ambition and his sensibility as both a director and a micro studio boss. From the macabre comedy of early films like “A Bucket of Blood” and “The Little Shop of Horrors” to heady forays into science fiction and the work of Edgar Allan Poe, Corman’s work as a director signaled the dime-stretching ingenuity that would define his tenure at New World Pictures, where he developed a formula for making money while revealing a keen eye for recognizing talent. Beatniks, bikers, gear heads, voyeurs, outcasts and rebels — all had a place in Corman’s world, on both sides of the screen.

‘A Bucket of Blood’

Stream it on AMC+ and Shudder . Rent it on Amazon and Apple TV .

From early in his career, Corman took a keen interest in the emerging counterculture, even as he personally understood himself as an outsider. That dynamic animates his fiendishly clever, ultra-low-budget comedy about a square who schemes his way into the cool crowd through macabre means. “A Bucket of Blood” would turn out to be a rare lead role for legendary character actor Dick Miller. He stars as the busboy at a beatnik bar who uses his incredibly lifelike sculptures to impress the hip clientele. His secret? Best not to break through the plaster and find out.

‘The Little Shop of Horrors’

Stream it on AMC+ . Rent it on Amazon , Apple TV , Fandango at Home , Google Play and YouTube .

The standout scene in Corman’s black comedy is an early one-off by Jack Nicholson, who flashes a wicked, toothless grin as a sadomasochist who loves going to the dentist and gets the appointment of his dreams when an impostor yanks away without anesthetics. Much like “A Bucket of Blood,” with which it shares a writer (Charles B. Griffith) and sets, “The Little Shop of Horrors” is a dark and whimsical curio about a social outcast, Seymour (Jonathan Haze), who winds up killing people against his gentle nature. Here it’s to satisfy Audrey Jr., a beautiful, carnivorous plant with an insatiable appetite for human blood.

‘X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes’

Rent it on Amazon , Apple TV , Google Play and YouTube .

Given Corman’s later forays into exploitation cinema, it’s remarkable that Ray Milland’s mad scientist in “X: The Man with X-Ray Eyes” doesn’t have any prurient intentions for his miraculous new ability to see beyond the surface of things. It turns out to be ambition, not perversion, that corrupts Milland in the end, as the special droplets in his eyes first give him medical insight that no imaging machine could, then expand his vision to frightening and less altruistic ends, like winning blackjack at a casino. And finally, as a precursor to Corman’s psychedelic journey in “The Trip,” he catches a glimpse of the ineffable.

‘The Masque of the Red Death’

Rent it on Amazon , Apple TV , Fandango at Home , Google Play and YouTube .

The seventh and best of the eight films in Corman’s “Poe Cycle,” all produced between 1960 and 1964, “The Masque of the Red Death” catches Vincent Price at his most deliciously sinister as a European aristocrat who tries to hole up in a castle while a plague ravages the common folk outside its walls. Before leaving the local village to burn, Prince Prospero (Price) abducts a pretty maiden, along with her husband and father, with the intention of defiling her, but his plans are upended when an ominous guest turns up at a party intended for fellow elites. Shot with Technicolor pop by Nicolas Roeg, who would later have his own brilliant career as a director, the film is Corman’s most polished behind the camera, at once lurid and sophisticated.

‘The Shooting’

Stream it on Criterion Channel , Max and Peacock . Rent it on Amazon and Apple TV .

As a producer attuned to the subculture, Corman seized every opportunity to appeal to audiences outside the mainstream, where commercial demands hedged toward the conventional. And so a few years before “The Wild Bunch” popularized the revisionist western, Corman bankrolled Monte Hellman’s “The Shooting,” which conceived the Old West as a sprawling psychic space, rather than territory for shootouts. Hellman’s favorite actor, Warren Oates, stars alongside Will Hutchins as hard-luck buddies who agree to escort a mystery woman across the desert for reasons unknown. This peculiar, dread-soaked assignment takes a grim turn when a third man — played by Nicholson again, in a wild card of a performance — complicates what could be a dead-end mission.

‘The Wild Angels’

Rent it on Fandango at Home .

Once again ahead of the curve, Corman put Peter Fonda behind a Harley-Davidson chopper three years before “Easy Rider” and set him and his outlaw buddies on the arid desert stretches of Southern California, where they find all the trouble they’re out there to seek. As an assemblage of talent alone, “The Wild Angels” is staggering, with Nancy Sinatra, Bruce Dern and Diane Ladd among Fonda’s cohorts and future auteurs Hellman and Peter Bogdanovich as part of the creative team. There’s not much to the story of the gang looking for Dern’s missing motorcycle and running afoul of Mexican bikers and the police, but the film is more about the generalized rebellion of a subculture that lives to provoke the squares, even with Nazi iconography.

Rent it on Amazon and Apple TV .

For this full-on psychedelic odyssey, Corman prepared himself through what could be called Method directing: He had never dropped acid before, so he and select crew members headed to Big Sur for a weekend and guided each other through trips. So while “The Trip,” based on a Nicholson script reportedly rife with specific visual ideas, has an antidrug disclaimer at the beginning and a cracked mirror at the end, there’s a wink-wink, nudge-nudge quality to the film that doesn’t discourage casual LSD use. As Dern leads Fonda through his first acid trip, Corman uncorks an adventure of the mind, which ebbs and flows between the sensually radiant and the nightmarish.

Stream it on Criterion Channel . Rent it on Amazon , Apple TV , Fandango at Home , Google Play and YouTube .

Corman agreed to finance Bogdanovich’s stunning debut feature under the condition that the young director stay under budget and devise a role for Boris Karloff, who still owed him a couple days of work. So Bogdanovich used the opportunity to contrast Karloff’s aging horror-movie star with the more contemporary horror of a deranged gunman shooting down ordinary people. With its can’t-miss allusions to Charles Whitman , the former Marine who killed 14 people from atop the University of Texas tower in 1966 after killing his mother and wife, “Targets” accesses the deranged mind of a Vietnam veteran (Bobby Thompson) who kills his family, then casually takes his lunch and his rifle to the top of an oil storage tank by the freeway. America would never be the same.

‘Big Doll House’

Stream it on Amazon Freevee . Rent it on Amazon .

As part of a scheme to shoot quick-and-dirty movies in the Philippines in the early ’70s, Corman modified the women-in-prison exploitation subgenre to “women in cages,” with compulsory showers and mud fights, and play-torture that evoked American prisoners during the war. The films were unsavory, but the best of them, like “Big Doll House,” ran hot with jungle sweat and guerrilla action sequences. Directed by Jack Hill, who excelled at this type of fare, the film is notable for an early look at Pam Grier, commanding the screen as one of six rough-hewn beauties who band together to resist their sadistic warden and break out of a foreign prison compound.

‘Caged Heat’

Rent it on Amazon .

One of the star pupils at the Corman school of filmmaking, Jonathan Demme would make great films like “Melvin and Howard” and “The Silence of the Lambs” after his matriculation, but “Caged Heat,” his directorial debut, is an example of an artist doing his best to elevate a disreputable subgenre. In broad outlines, the film ticks the usual women-in-prison boxes, with sexy convicts fighting (and showering) among themselves before turning their attention to an abusive warden (Barbara Steele). But Demme and his cinematographer, Tak Fujimoto, keep the camera active, and the tone is rambunctious and fun, with a genuine warmth and esprit de corps that develops among the cast. These little differences matter.

‘Death Race 2000’

Stream it on Amazon Freevee . Rent in on Amazon .

Timed to capitalize on the futuristic mayhem of “ Rollerball ,” “Death Race 2000” anticipates a totalitarian dystopia that offers a cross-country race as a bread-and-circuses distraction from tyranny. Yet Corman insisted on a darkly comic tone for the film and director Paul Bartel obliged with an action-packed, deliriously cartoonish science fiction that picked up an instant cult appreciation. David Carradine stars as Frankenstein, a driver who participates against other colorful rivals in the Transcontinental Road Race, an event that rewards points to contestants for mowing down innocent pedestrians. But in this particularly turbulent year, the race itself may be in jeopardy.

‘Hollywood Boulevard’

Before “Airplane” ushered in the age of gag-a-second spoofs, directors Joe Dante and Allan Arkush cut loose on the world of drive-in movies and B-pictures with “Hollywood Boulevard,” a ragged parody that flashed the energy and referential comedy that would define Dante’s career. Billed as the cheapest movie ever made by Corman’s New World Pictures, this $60,000 production is loaded with footage from his films and delightful inside jokes about them. (The fake movies here are from Miracle Pictures: “If it’s a good picture, it’s a Miracle.”) The story, such as it is, follows a would-be actress (Candice Rialson) from Indiana who inadvertently participates in an actual armed robbery (“Where are the cameras?”) and eventually gets hired as a stuntwoman for low-budget movies, including more real-life danger in the Philippines.

‘Rock ’n’ Roll High School’

Stream it on Amazon Freevee and Peacock . Rent in on Amazon , Apple TV , Fandango at Home , Google Play and YouTube .

Always eager to capitalize on youthful rebellion, Corman and his director, Arkush, hitched their wagon to two shooting stars for “Rock ’n’ Roll High School”: The Ramones, a punk quartet on the rise, and P.J. Soles, an infectious party blonde who had stolen scenes as a teenage troublemaker in “Carrie” and “Halloween.” At Vince Lombardi High School, an institution that flaunts the rigors of its football-coach namesake, Riff Randell (Soles) is losing her mind over her favorite band, the Ramones, coming to town for a concert. Her enthusiasm puts her into conflict with the school’s buzzkill of a principal (Mary Woronov), setting up an explosive showdown on campus.

Explore More in TV and Movies

Not sure what to watch next we can help..

“Megalopolis,” the first film from the director Francis Ford Coppola in 13 years, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Here’s what to know .

Why is the “Planet of the Apes” franchise so gripping and effective? Because it doesn’t monkey around, our movie critic writes .

Luke Newton has been in the sexy Netflix hit “Bridgerton” from the start. But a new season will be his first as co-lead — or chief hunk .

There’s nothing normal about making a “Mad Max” movie, and Anya Taylor-Joy knew that  when she signed on to star in “Furiosa,” the newest film in George Miller’s action series.

If you are overwhelmed by the endless options, don’t despair — we put together the best offerings   on Netflix , Max , Disney+ , Amazon Prime  and Hulu  to make choosing your next binge a little easier.

Sign up for our Watching newsletter  to get recommendations on the best films and TV shows to stream and watch, delivered to your inbox.