"In Before The Lock": An abbreviation posted to a thread on a web-based forum when the poster knows that any rational debate has long since been abandoned, and will shortly be locked by the forum administrator.
Original poster: Welfare is bad!
Second poster: Oh yeah? Well, you're a nazi!
Original poster: Oh yeah? Well, you're an idiot!
Third poster: IBTL!
Admin: I'm locking this thread. Nothing to see here, move along.
by Steve T August 19, 2003
In Before The Lock - threads with no content are locked. some, however, manage to post before the admin sees the thread and post comments like IBTL
by angrysand July 22, 2003
"I Beat The Lock": IBTL is an acronym used on an internet forum when a poster has judged a thread to be due for locking by an administrator due to off-topic or offensive content. Use of IBTL is a declaration that the user has "won a race" versus the forum administrator, who is about to close the thread.
Original Poster: Hello, I have a wonderful real estate venture for you - a fine bridge spanning the water between Manhattan and Brooklyn!
Second Poster: OMG this is such a scam!
Original Poster: No, I swear this is real! All I need is your bank account number for verification!
Third Poster: scam. IBTL
Fourth Poster: IBTL
Administrator: thread locked.
by Paolomania May 17, 2005
in before the lock
used ever-too-commonly on dslr
there are many alternate spellings, some with pictures
started by weirdal27
by anon April 26, 2004
by Blumchen November 13, 2005
by hammersavage September 09, 2009