Learn English – meaning of the sentence “Shades off”

meaning

What does the expression 'Shades off' mean?

The context is: 'I am nervous. Shades off!'

I have searched the definition in different dictionaries, but I could not find anything appropriate. This phrase is taken from the movie "Battleship" (see subtitles – around 300), it is used two times.

Best Answer

I haven't seen the movie, but found a very-partial-script online (no character names).

"Shades" is a term for "sunglasses" in this context. The notion is that wearing sunglasses while being introduced among international military leaders doesn't show the right level of respect for that setting.

Announcer: "And now as we prepare to embark in this outstanding..."

Someone(Hopper?): "I'm nervous."

Someone Else: "Shades off."

Announcer: "...I would like the commanding officers to come to the stage."

People are being called to the stage, and presumably the "Hopper" character has not taken off the sunglasses yet. So he has to be told again more forcefully:

Announcer: "A special acknowledgment to Commander Stone Hopper, US Navy...who along with his outstanding crew and ship had the highest overall rating last year."

Someone Else: "Shades off, Hopper!"

This is a very cliché way for a movie of that type to 'show' instead of 'tell' us how rebellious and raw this person's talent is.

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