The Unstoppable Rise of Captain America's Iconic MCU Catchphrase

Highlights

Captain America's iconic catchphrase, "I can do this all day," reflects his unwavering determination and resilience in the face of adversity.

Originally spoken by a skinny boy from Brooklyn named Steve Rogers, the catchphrase was uttered as he confronted a bully and steadfastly declined to retreat.

Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain America resolutely declares his catchphrase on just four occasions amidst his numerous appearances. Each instance serves to reinforce his unwavering determination and unwavering commitment to perseverance.

Every superhero needs an iconic catchphrase, like "I'm Batman" or "Flame on", or the simple yet powerful "SMASH!". These catchphrases often emerge naturally, becoming a source of strength and confidence for the hero whenever they need it most. In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there were numerous memorable lines, but one that stood out came from Captain America: "I can do this all day." This catchphrase, spoken by both Cap and Steve Rogers, held the same meaning every time it was used, regardless of the situation.

Captain America is known for his unwavering determination and resilience, so it is fitting that his catchphrase reflects his refusal to give up or back down from a fight. Even when he faces relentless beatings and is repeatedly knocked down, he always finds a way to get back up. Viewers may not always hear him say it, but they know that deep down, the thought running through his mind is always: "I can do this all day."

When Did Cap First Say 'I Can Do This All Day'?

For many superheroes, their catchphrase emerges when they first don their masks and commit to fighting crime. However, for Cap, his catchphrase originated during his humble days in Brooklyn.

In his scrawny form, young Steve Rogers was the first to utter the iconic words, "I can do this all day." These words were first spoken in the original Captain America movie, Captain America: The First Avenger. They were featured right after the audience was introduced to this future Avengers hero. As the moviegoers sat in the theater, an army campaign ad played, preceding a cartoon. This ad showcased individuals eager to serve their country during World War II and educated the audience on how they could contribute.

In the theater, a man impatiently heckles the screen, loudly exclaiming, "Who cares?" and demanding the immediate start of the cartoon. Despite his small stature and lack of physical strength, Steve always had the courage to speak his mind. He confidently tells the heckler to be quiet and show some respect. Following the norms of masculinity during the 1940s, the heckler drags Steve outside to an alleyway and proceeds to ruthlessly attack him.

However, each time Steve is knocked down, he quickly rises to his feet, even finding a makeshift shield in a trash can lid (unbeknownst to him). Slowly wearing himself out, the man comments, "You just don't know when to quit, do you?" Undeterred, Steve defiantly lifts his fists, despite his swollen eye and busted lip, and declares, "I can continue like this all day." From that moment, a catchphrase is born, leaving no doubt that the guy would think twice before picking another fight with Steve in the following weeks. There is a high probability that Steve would not be the one ending up on the floor in that scenario.

How Many Times Does Cap Say 'I Can Do This All Day'?

Typically, superheroes deliver their catchphrases during their climactic battles in movies or comic strips. However, in the eight appearances Captain America made throughout the Infinity Saga, he only uttered his iconic line four times. Interestingly, the first two instances occurred in his debut film.

Captain America: The First Avenger featured a scene much later on, where Cap is held captive by the Red Skull in his fortress. Feeling envious of the Avenger's success as a result of the super-soldier serum, Cap finds himself beaten to his knees by the Red Skull. Undeterred, Cap looks up at him with a smile and confidently states, "I can do this all day." Surprisingly, the subsequent two occurrences of this line were not directed towards any specific enemies.

The catchphrase resurfaces in Captain America: Civil War amidst escalating tensions and the formation of rivaling Avenger teams. During a one-on-one battle, Iron Man gains the upper hand, throwing Cap into a wall and commanding him to stay down. Despite his injuries, Cap defiantly stands up, ready to continue fighting, and declares, "I can do this all day."

Avengers: Endgame marks the final usage of the catchphrase. As the crew travels back in time to collect the Infinity Stones, Captain America encounters his past self, who mistakes him for Loki. They engage in combat, and although it's the future Cap who is defeated, the past Cap proudly utters the familiar catchphrase. Frustrated, the future Cap exclaims, "Yeah, I know." This humorous moment satirizes the repetitive nature of superhero catchphrases, as future Cap witnesses himself saying it to his past self.

The 'I Can Do This All Day' Song, Explained

The phrase was not used again until the Disney+ series Hawkeye. However, it is worth mentioning that in the movie Endgame, there is a moment when Captain America, after being knocked down by Thanos, stands up, unstraps his shield, and charges at Thanos before exclaiming the phrase "he can do this all day." This happens before Cap's retirement from the Avengers. In the Hawkeye series, the phrase resurfaces during Clint's attendance at the Rogers: The Musical, a theatrical production that depicts the life and achievements of Steve Rogers, also known as Captain America.

In one of the chorus sections of the song titled "Save the City," they passionately sing the line "Avengers unite, because we need to hear you declare: I can do this all day." This particular song focuses on the iconic alien invasion in New York shown in the first Avengers film. The lyrics make references to all the individuals involved, including the Avengers, Loki, and his army.

In this song, the citizens of New York sing the catchphrase that originally belongs to Captain America, urging him and the other Avengers to rescue them. They express confidence in being rescued, as the well-known catchphrase suggests that the Avengers are capable of defeating any enemy and can continue doing so tirelessly.